SC upholds convict’s death sentence in Noor Muqadam case

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Tuesday upheld the death sentence of Zahir Jaffer in Noor Muqadam murder case.

A three-member bench of the apex court — headed by Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar — dismissed the convict’s appeal.

The court upheld Jaffer’s death sentence but commuted death penalty under the rape charges to life imprisonment. Justice Ali Baqar Najafi remarked that the government should educate the youth on cohabitation and drug abuse.

Noor Muqadam, aged 27, and daughter of former Pakistani diplomat Shaukat Muqadam, was murdered and beheaded in a posh area of federal capital in July 2011.

Salman Safdar, counsel for Zahir Jaffer, Tuesday argued before the court that the prosecution’s case was entirely based on CCTV footage and DVR, and that the evidence against the appellant must be beyond a shadow of doubt.

He contended that the prosecution’s footage couldn’t be played in the Islamabad High Court, and that it was instead shown via a USB provided by a lawyer.

After Safdar concluded his arguments, the counsel for the guard and gardener while commencing his arguments pointed out that both were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for stopping the victim from leaving. Justice Ali Baqar observed that if they hadn’t done so, the outcome might have been different. Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar questioned as to why they went beyond their paid duties.

Meanwhile, when the court resumed hearing after interval, Noor Mukadam’s lawyer Shah Khawar submitted before the court that all evidence against Jaffar were part of the record, and Noor was held captive for 40 hours. During the course of hearing, the state prosecutor stressed that such a heinous crime must not go unpunished and that the state views it with utmost seriousness. Justice Ali Baqar observed that the incident also highlights the dark side of cohabitation, and the government must inform youth about such issues and drug use. Similarly, Justice Muhammad Hashim pointed out that drugs could not be sold without police complicity and suggested raiding university campuses to uncover the extent of “ice” drug sales. Later, the court dismissed the appeal of Zahir Jaffer, upholding his death sentence.