Noor Mukadam case: Supreme Court upholds Zahir Jaffer's death sentence

The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the death sentence of Zahir Jaffer in the Noor Mukadam murder case while modifying his sentence in other charges pertaining to rape and abduction.

As per the details, the top court dismissed Jaffer’s appeal against his previous conviction under Section 302 (premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), maintaining both his death sentence and fine. However, the court commuted his death sentence under Section 376 (rape) to life imprisonment besides overturning his conviction for kidnapping, declaring the charge void.

The court also reduced the sentences of Jaffer’s household staff and co-accused, the watchman and gardener, ruling that the punishments already served by both would suffice.

The case was heard by a three-member bench led by Justice Hashim Kakar and consisting of Justices Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Ali Baqar Najafi.

Barrister Salman Safdar appeared as Zahir’s counsel while Advocate Shah Khawar was present on behalf of Noor’s father and retired diplomat Shaukat Mukadam. The verdict comes hours after both sides concluded their arguments earlier in the day.

The apex court’s ruling marks a major moment in the trial for the brutal murder that took place in July 2021 when Noor, 27, was discovered dead at a private residence in Sector F-7/4 of Islamabad.

Jaffer, the prime suspect, was taken into custody at the crime scene and an FIR was filed by the victim’s father later the same day. According to the FIR, she had been “beheaded after being killed with a sharp weapon”.

The case sparked nationwide outrage and prompted debates about women's safety in the country.

In February 2022, a district and sessions court sentenced Jaffer to death, alongside a 25-year prison term with hard labour and a fine of Rs200,000. Besides the prime accused, two members of his domestic staff, Iftikhar and Jameel, were each handed 10-year prison sentences, while other co-accused — including Jaffer’s parents and several TherapyWorks employees — were acquitted.

In March 2023, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) upheld Jaffer’s death sentence and upgraded his 25-year sentence to an additional death penalty. An appeal challenging the IHC verdict had then been filed with the SC in April last year.

It merits a mention that after the SC ruling, only a presidential pardon under Article 45 of the Constitution can overturn Jaffer's death sentence. According to the Constitution, the president has power to grant pardon, reprieve and respite, and to remit, suspend or commute any sentence passed by any court, tribunal or other authority.