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Noor Mukadam Case: Supreme Court Dismisses Zahir Jaffer’s Review Plea, Upholds Death Sentence
The Supreme Court has dismissed Zahir Jaffer’s review petition, upholding the death sentence for the brutal 2021 murder of Noor Mukadam. The bench rejected defense arguments regarding Jaffer's mental health and evidence of rape, effectively ending his judicial appeal options. Zahir Jaffer’s only remaining chance to avoid execution is a presidential pardon under Article 45 of the Constitution.
ND
by News Desk
2026-06-04
Noor Mukadam Case: Supreme Court Dismisses Zahir Jaffer’s Review Plea, Upholds Death Sentence

Detailed Report

  • The Final Verdict: The Supreme Court of Pakistan reached a definitive conclusion in the high-profile Noor Mukadam murder case on Thursday, dismissing a review petition filed by the primary convict, Zahir Jaffer. A three-member bench—comprising Justices Hashim Khan Kakar, Salahuddin Pahnwar, and Ishtiaq Ibrahim—heard the arguments before announcing that the court’s earlier decision to uphold Jaffer’s death sentence remains unchanged. This ruling marks the end of the judicial appeals process for the convict within the Pakistani court system.

  • Review Arguments and Rejection: Zahir’s counsel, Advocate Khawaja Haris, presented a 47-page petition seeking a reversal of the SC's May 20, 2025, verdict. The primary contention centered on the convict's alleged "unsoundness of mind" and mental capacity, which the defense argued had been overlooked by the court. The petition also challenged the evidence regarding rape charges. However, the bench remained unmoved by these arguments, affirming the gravity of the crime committed in July 2021, when 27-year-old Noor Mukadam was tortured and beheaded at Zahir’s residence in Islamabad.

The Path to Execution: With the Supreme Court exhausting all judicial reviews, Zahir Jaffer's final remaining avenue for reprieve is a formal appeal for a presidential pardon. Under Article 45 of the Constitution of Pakistan, the President holds the authority to grant a pardon, reprieve, or to commute the sentence. Should a mercy petition be rejected by the President, the state will proceed with the execution of the death warrant.

  • Chronology of a Landmark Case:

    • July 2021: Noor Mukadam is found brutally murdered in Sector F-7, Islamabad.

    • February 2022: The trial court sentences Zahir Jaffer to death.

    • March 2023: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) upholds the trial court’s death sentence.

    • May 20, 2025: The Supreme Court maintains the death penalty for murder but commutes the death sentence for rape to life imprisonment.

    • June 4, 2026: The SC dismisses the final review plea, cementing the death penalty
Tagged:

#JusticeForNoor #NoorMukadam #ZahirJaffer #SupremeCourt #BreakingNewsPakistan #Islamabad #HumanRights #PakistanLegalSystem
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