Noor Mukadam’s father says justice completed after SC upholds Zahir Jaffer death sentence

ISLAMABAD: Shaukat Mukadam, the father of murdered Noor Mukadam, said on Thursday that a “judicial and legal process has finally been completed” after the Supreme Court dismissed a review petition by convicted murderer Zahir Jaffer and upheld his death sentence in the high-profile case.

Speaking to reporters outside the Supreme Court, Shaukat Mukadam, expressed gratitude for the court’s decision and said the matter had been examined thoroughly at every judicial level.

“Alhamdulillah, thanks to Allah, a million times over, that a judicial, legal process has finally been completed today,” he said.

He said that the defence had made extensive efforts to present arguments, but said all aspects of the case had already been scrutinised in detail by the trial court and the high court.

He said the trial court, the high court and the Supreme Court had all upheld the death sentence.

“They couldn’t bring forward any new arguments in the review petition. They tried very hard, but nothing new could be brought to light. Consequently, the Supreme Court dismissed this review petition,” he said.

Noor Mukadam was murdered in Islamabad in July 2021, in a case that drew nationwide attention and widespread public outrage.

Responding to a question about whether the prolonged legal battle had strengthened his trust in the justice system, Shaukat Mukadam said that victims’ families must remain patient and continue to pursue legal remedies despite delays.

“My message to society is that — God forbid this ever happens to anyone else — one must never lose courage. You have to fight, and you must maintain hope in the law,” he said.

He noted that the legal process took nearly five years and suggested reforms to shorten timelines for criminal trials and appeals.

“It took five years, but I believe all of this could ideally be handled within about a year and a half to two years,” he said, adding that legislation should be introduced to streamline judicial timelines.

He suggested that trial courts may require more time due to witness testimony and evidence recording, but argued that appellate courts should be bound by stricter deadlines.

“Even if they are given a one-year timeframe, the high court and the Supreme Court should not take more than six months each,” he said.

Mukadam also called for faster implementation of death sentences in cases of violent crimes, saying enforcement was necessary to deter future offences.

“For people who abduct innocent young girls, who kidnap them, take them hostage and kill them, it is absolutely essential that they are punished,” he said. “Once four or five such individuals face the gallows, these kinds of crimes will decrease in our society.”

He said that since Noor’s murder, other similar incidents had taken place, and argued that strict punishment enforcement was the only way to prevent such crimes.