The Noor Mukadam case final verdict announced by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, officially upholding the death sentence of Zahir Jaffer, the prime accused in the gruesome 2021 murder of 27-year-old Noor Mukadam.
This final judgment has not only brought a sense of closure to the victim’s family but also emerged as a significant legal precedent in Pakistan’s justice system, particularly in cases related to gender-based violence and women’s rights in Pakistan.
TW: What is the Noor Mukadam Case Final Verdict?
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has confirmed Zahir Jaffer’s death sentence for the brutal murder of Noor Mukadam, a young woman and daughter of former diplomat Shaukat Mukadam. The case shook the country in July 2021 when Noor was held captive, tortured, raped, and ultimately beheaded inside Jaffer’s residence in Islamabad.
In the final verdict of the Noor Mukadam case, the court made the following rulings:
- Death Penalty Upheld: Zahir Jaffer’s death sentence under Section 302 PPC maintained for murder.
- Rape Sentence Commuted: His previous death penalty for rape reduced to life imprisonment.
- Kidnapping Sentence Reduced: His 10-year kidnapping sentence shortened to one year.
- Co-accused Released: Household staff Iftikhar and Jan Muhammad, previously sentenced for abetment, released.
A Victory for Justice and Women’s Rights
The Noor Mukadam case final verdict seen as a symbol of justice for countless victims of violence against women in Pakistan. Legal experts and women’s rights activists are calling it a rare but powerful moment in Pakistan’s legal history, emphasizing that wealth and privilege cannot shield criminals from accountability.
This decision by the apex court is also being hailed across social media and digital platforms, and sparking fresh conversations around reform in Pakistan’s criminal justice system.
Noor Mukadam Case Timeline
To understand the gravity and delay in justice, here’s a quick breakdown of the legal journey:
- July 2021: Noor Mukadam murdered in Islamabad.
- February 2022: Zahir Jaffer sentenced to death by the trial court.
- March 2023: The Islamabad High Court upheld the death sentence and added a second one for rape.
- May 20, 2025: The Supreme Court delivered the final verdict, dismissing all appeals.
Public Reactions
The final verdict in the Noor Mukadam case met with widespread approval across Pakistan. Noor’s family thanked the judiciary and reaffirmed their decision to reject the option of a “blood pardon”—a controversial practice under Pakistan’s Qisas and Diyat law where victims’ families can forgive the accused.
Social media platforms filled with messages of support for the Mukadam family, with hashtags like #JusticeForNoor, #ZahirJaffer, and #SupremeCourtPakistan dominating Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
What’s Next for Zahir Jaffer?
With the Supreme Court rejecting his appeal, Zahir Jaffer’s legal options nearly exhausted. While he can still file a review petition, it will heard by the same bench, and such reviews rarely lead to reversals.
This case has now officially concluded with the Noor Mukadam case final verdict, becoming one of the most followed and talked-about criminal cases in Pakistani history.
The Noor Mukadam case final verdict is not just about punishing one man—it’s a defining moment in the fight against gender-based violence and a reminder that justice, though delayed, can prevail.
