The Supreme Court of Pakistan has adjourned the highly publicized hearing on Zahir Jaffer’s appeal against his death sentence in the Noor Mukadam case until May 19, following a mutual agreement between the defence and prosecution.
The appeal, a major development in the ongoing Noor Mukadam murder case, was heard by a three-member Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Hashim Kakar, along with Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi.
Defence Cites Mental Health Concerns
Prominent criminal defence lawyer Salman Safdar, representing Zahir Jaffer, requested more time to submit additional documents. Safdar stressed that these documents could significantly influence the final verdict. He also highlighted that Jaffer suffers from mental illness, a defence allegedly ignored by both the trial court and Islamabad High Court during earlier proceedings.
“No medical board was ever formed to assess the mental condition of the accused,” Safdar argued, asserting that past Supreme Court judgments relevant to mental health were not considered in previous rulings.
Justices Raise Questions Over Delays
Justice Hashim Kakar, addressing the delay request, remarked, “In our court, a case is only delayed if the judge or the lawyer dies,” emphasizing the need to avoid unnecessary adjournments. Meanwhile, Justice Najafi questioned whether the mental illness defence had been formally raised earlier. Safdar acknowledged it was mentioned but never given proper weight.
Justice Kakar pointed out that the mental illness claim could still be debated without a fresh application. Despite opposition from prosecutor Shah Khawar, the court directed the defence to formally submit its application before the next hearing.
The Supreme Court has ordered both parties to come fully prepared for the resumed hearing on May 19, 2025. According to the official cause list on the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s website, the hearing will again be presided over by Justice Hashim Kakar, with Justices Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Ali Baqar Najafi.
Background: The Noor Mukadam Case
The Noor Mukadam case has gripped the nation since July 20, 2021, when Noor Mukadam, a 27-year-old woman, was found brutally murdered at Zahir Jaffer’s residence in Islamabad’s upscale Sector F-7/4. She was reportedly beheaded, and the FIR was filed the same day. Zahir Jaffer was arrested on the spot.
In February 2022, a district and sessions court handed Zahir Jaffer a death sentence, along with 25 years of rigorous imprisonment and a Rs200,000 fine. Two of his domestic staff, Iftikhar and Jameel, were sentenced to 10 years each, while his parents and employees of TherapyWorks were acquitted.
The Noor Mukadam case has become a symbol of the fight for justice for women in Pakistan, sparking widespread outrage and legal debate. The Supreme Court’s handling of Zahir Jaffer’s final appeal is seen as a key moment in Pakistan’s judicial response to gender-based violence.
