A sessions court in Islamabad sentenced main accused Zahir Jaffer to death in the Noor Mukadam murder case on Thursday.
Additionally, the primary suspect Zahir’s household staff Iftikhar and Jameel, were sentenced to 10 years in jail. They had both been co-accused in the case. The gardener Jan Mohammad, watchman Iftikhar, and guards were also sentenced to 10 years for aiding the murder.
Meanwhile, all other accused, including Zahir’s parents, Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee, and TherapyWorks employees, were acquitted.
Additional Sessions Judge Ata Rabbani announced the verdict, which was reserved on Tuesday after many hearings and a court trial spanning over hearings.
The victim’s father Shaukat Mukadam, a retired diplomat, lauded the Court’s verdict. He also thanked the media for keeping the matter ‘alive’. According to Dawn News, he called the ruling a ‘victory’ for the court and justice.
“An exemplary punishment has been given to the primary accused, … Everyone was praying [for justice]. The whole nation and world were with us.”
Meanwhile, Twitter lauded Shaukat Mukadam for fighting for his daughter tooth and nail.
The way Noor’s father has stood by her without any concern for the potential ‘ghairat’ angle of the case is the positive male role-modelling our country needs
— Sabahat Zakariya (@sabizak) February 24, 2022
Every time he came on screen, I had to look away. Cannot imagine the strength it took for him and Noor’s mother to stand tall in front of the media and keep on the fight for justice.
— Zohra Qureshi (@ziq89) February 24, 2022
Words will never do justice to the strength, resolve and perseverance shown by Shaukat uncle and Noor's entire family through this exhausting ordeal.
I hope they can finally breathe now. I hope this ruling gives them hope and some closure.
Nothing can bring Noor back /cont'd.— Osman Khalid Butt 🇵🇸 (@aClockworkObi) February 24, 2022
27-year-old Noor Mukadam was found murdered at Zahir Jaffar’s residence in Islamabad’s Sector F-7/4 on July 20th last year. The harrowing murder that took place on Eid-ul-Adha shook the capital with shockwaves reverberating through the country.
A first information report (FIR) was registered the same day with Zahir Jaffer as the primary accused. The charges against him included Section 302 (premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) on the complaint of the victim’s father, Shaukat Mukadam.
What ensued was a very public legal battle as some resorted to victim-blaming, while Asmat Adamjees’ Therapy Works also got wrapped up in the legal battle.
Many questioned if Noor’s family would see justice enacted with all the unnecessary hearsay about the victim’s personal life and character. That’s something Netizens are even discussing now.
discussing noor’s or qandeel’s personal lives is not just irrelevant, but actively harmful.
women do not deserve to be murdered because they do not adhere to your moral and religious standards.
— sohni (@sohnianika) February 23, 2022
to all the fucking idiots who made Noor’s story about her relationship with that disgusting man & judged her for what is between her & Allah i hope u all get whats coming for u ur pathetic nothing she did could have done made her deserving of what happened to her #justicefornoor
— .🔪 (@shhhrrek) February 24, 2022
Others are just glad justice has been served.
Finally Justice prevailed. Death sentence given to Zahir jaffer. Noor, May your soul rest in peace now ❤️#NoorMuqaddam pic.twitter.com/py40qBZ8t2
— Shanzeh (@shanzayyyyyyyy) February 24, 2022
Finally Zahir Jaffer sentenced to death by session court in Noor Mukaddam Case. pic.twitter.com/JW6NI9SZ5N
— Mir WaliDad (@W_D_Mir) February 24, 2022
ZAHIR JAFFER SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDER OF NOOR MUKADAM BY ISLAMABAD SESSION COURT.
I CAN'T BE HAPPIER RIGHT NOW. BURN IN HELL ZAHIR. SHUKER ALLAHMDULILAH#NoorMukadam— Assad Bajwa (@oyebajwey) February 24, 2022
Supporters of the death penalty were particularly happy.
I unapologetically 100% agree with this. Death penalty all the way. People wanna say ‘’Im aGAiNsT tHe dEatH PeNaLTy’ until it’s one of their own whose brutally murdered.
Then their tune changes pretty quick.Zahir stole Noor’s future. Now we want his. #justicefornoor https://t.co/tt1Et4idDU
— LasagneDelRay (@babyjalebiz) February 24, 2022
Fatima Bhutto asserted how this sentence is an example of how justice is possible in Pakistan.
Every Pakistani woman, every person who has suffered cruelty and violence and fear, every parent who has lost a child to the hands of the powerful and the influential will be watching the verdict in Noor’s case to see if justice can be made in Pakistan
— fatima bhutto 🇵🇸🇱🇧 (@fbhutto) February 24, 2022
Though some Netizens argued that it was Shaukat Mukadam’s influence that ensured this case was resolved. In many instances, such cases are dragged out or don’t see a courtroom until ages later.
https://twitter.com/discodeewanii/status/1496768066935345153
They even paid tribute to the countless other such cases that might not even see the light of day.
https://twitter.com/qauseqazza/status/1496775153497243648
Do you feel justice has been served in the Noor Mukadam case? Or are more concrete efforts for the safety of women vital? Let us know what you think in the comments section.
