Zahir Jaffer, the prime accused in the Noor Mukadam murder case, has been given death sentence by an Islamabad court after conclusion of a four-month trial earlier this week. In its verdict issued today (Thursday), the court convicted Jaffer of killing Noor Mukadam and sentenced him to death.
The convict’s parents, Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee, who were accused of abetting the crime were however acquitted in the case. Two house staff were sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The verdict was announced by District and Additional Sessions Judge Ata Rabbani. Employees of Therapy Works, who were among the accused in the case, were acquitted by the court . Zahir Jaffer's house help, Jameel and Iftikhar, who worked as watchmen and gardeners and were present at the house when Noor was killed, were convicted and sentenced to 10 years in jail.
Earlier, Noor Mukadam’s father, former diplomat Shaukat Mukadam, had expressed the hope that the court will serve his daughter justice. A Twitter account run by the victim’s family and friends had also thanked supporters and all those who stood with the family.
Zahir Jaffer appeared in court on Thursday sporting a dishevelled beard and hoodie emblazoned with the word 'rocks' in capital letters.
Since his arrest, Zahir Jaffer had made a spectacle of the proceedings, often refusing to enter the court, or otherwise making outlandish remarks towards the judge or the press. His petitions for a mental health assessment were denied by the court and the judge ultimately termed Zahir's behaviour as a delaying tactic and a bid to create 'drama'.
In his final outburst, Zahir had claimed he was innocent and that the Mukadam family was trying to extort money from him. He also claimed that Noor had hosted a 'drug party' at his house, despite evidence pointing to the contrary.
Noor Mukadam’s murder trial has captured national, and international attention. Her brutal murder in July of last year, highlighted the violence perpetuated against Pakistani women, even in upscale neighbourhoods of the country’s capital city.
Support for Noor poured out on social media, with many vowing to continue to fight for women's rights in Pakistan in honour of Noor.
https://twitter.com/Rabinakhan78/status/1496741221028757505
https://twitter.com/AuratMarchKHI/status/1496724574507085826
https://twitter.com/Leena_Ghani/status/1496731970449117184
The convict’s parents, Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee, who were accused of abetting the crime were however acquitted in the case. Two house staff were sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The verdict was announced by District and Additional Sessions Judge Ata Rabbani. Employees of Therapy Works, who were among the accused in the case, were acquitted by the court . Zahir Jaffer's house help, Jameel and Iftikhar, who worked as watchmen and gardeners and were present at the house when Noor was killed, were convicted and sentenced to 10 years in jail.
Earlier, Noor Mukadam’s father, former diplomat Shaukat Mukadam, had expressed the hope that the court will serve his daughter justice. A Twitter account run by the victim’s family and friends had also thanked supporters and all those who stood with the family.
Zahir Jaffer appeared in court on Thursday sporting a dishevelled beard and hoodie emblazoned with the word 'rocks' in capital letters.
Since his arrest, Zahir Jaffer had made a spectacle of the proceedings, often refusing to enter the court, or otherwise making outlandish remarks towards the judge or the press. His petitions for a mental health assessment were denied by the court and the judge ultimately termed Zahir's behaviour as a delaying tactic and a bid to create 'drama'.
In his final outburst, Zahir had claimed he was innocent and that the Mukadam family was trying to extort money from him. He also claimed that Noor had hosted a 'drug party' at his house, despite evidence pointing to the contrary.
Noor Mukadam’s murder trial has captured national, and international attention. Her brutal murder in July of last year, highlighted the violence perpetuated against Pakistani women, even in upscale neighbourhoods of the country’s capital city.
Support for Noor poured out on social media, with many vowing to continue to fight for women's rights in Pakistan in honour of Noor.
https://twitter.com/Rabinakhan78/status/1496741221028757505
https://twitter.com/AuratMarchKHI/status/1496724574507085826
https://twitter.com/Leena_Ghani/status/1496731970449117184