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Zahir Jafar Files Review Petition in SC Over Noor Muqaddam Case Verdict
Zahir Jafar, sentenced to death for Noor Muqaddam’s murder, files review plea in Supreme Court—questions mental state evaluation, video evidence, and SC’s earlier decision.
ND
by News Desk
2025-07-23
Zahir Jafar Files Review Petition in SC Over Noor Muqaddam Case Verdict

Zahir Zakir Jafar, the convicted killer of Noor Muqaddam, has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, challenging the court’s May 2025 verdict that upheld his death sentence.

The review petition was filed by senior lawyer Khawaja Haris on Jafar’s behalf. It raises concerns over the court's failure to evaluate the mental health of the accused and alleges procedural lapses during the trial.

According to the petition, the Supreme Court did not rule on a pending miscellaneous request for the formation of a medical board to assess Jafar’s mental state. “The court failed to determine the mental capacity of the accused, which is a crucial aspect of a fair trial,” the petition claims.

Additionally, the petition questions the reliance on video footage during the trial. It argues that the videos were not proven to be authentic, were never played during trial proceedings, and were not made available to the defense. “Using unverified video recordings as the basis for a death sentence raises serious legal concerns,” it stated.

Zahir Jafar has requested the Supreme Court to revisit its May 20 ruling, citing “strong legal grounds” for review.

In May 2025, the Supreme Court had rejected Jafar’s initial appeal, upholding the death sentence in the murder case. A three-judge bench headed by Justice Hashim Kakar ruled that the death sentence for murder was valid, though the rape-related sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. The 10-year sentence in the kidnapping charge was reduced to one year.

The court also upheld the financial compensation awarded to Noor Muqaddam’s family. The verdict stated that the punishments served by co-accused Jan Muhammad (financial advisor) and watchman Iftikhar were sufficient, and they should be released after the written judgment.

Noor Muqaddam, the 27-year-old daughter of former diplomat Shaukat Muqaddam, was brutally murdered in Islamabad in July 2021. The case sparked national outrage and led to renewed calls for justice and legal reforms around gender-based violence in Pakistan.

The review petition now places the spotlight back on the Supreme Court, as the nation awaits whether the top court will reconsider its decision in this high-profile case.

 
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