The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday dismissed a review petition filed by Zahir Jaffer and upheld its earlier verdict maintaining his death sentence in the Noor Mukadam murder case.
Image: TheCurrent.pk
A three-member bench comprising Justice Hashim Khan Kakar, Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim heard the review plea. Following arguments from both sides, the court rejected the petition and maintained its previous judgment.
Zahir Jaffer’s counsel, Advocate Khawaja Haris, appeared before the court, while Advocate Shah Khawar represented the respondents.
Noor Mukadam, 27, was brutally murdered at Zahir Jaffer’s residence in Islamabad in July 2021. Investigations revealed that she was subjected to torture before being killed. The case drew nationwide attention and sparked calls for stronger protections for women.
A trial court sentenced Zahir Jaffer to death in February 2022, a decision that was later upheld by the Islamabad High Court and subsequently by the Supreme Court.
In its May 2025 verdict, the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence awarded for Noor Mukadam’s murder. However, it converted the death sentence awarded on rape charges into life imprisonment, while acquitting him of the kidnapping charge. The court also awarded him a one-year sentence for wrongful confinement under Section 342 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The review petition, filed under Article 188 of the Constitution, sought reconsideration of the Supreme Court’s earlier decision. Noor’s father, Shaukat Ali Mukadam, and the state were named as respondents in the case.
Following the dismissal of the review petition, the only remaining legal avenue available to Zahir Jaffer could be seeking clemency through a presidential pardon under Article 45 of the Constitution.
