Shaukat Mukadam, father of Noor Mukadam, expressed relief and gratitude on Thursday after the Supreme Court rejected the review petition filed by Zahir Jaffer, the convicted murderer in the high-profile case, thereby confirming his death sentence.
Speaking outside the Supreme Court, Mukadam emphasized that the judicial process had been thoroughly exhausted at every level. He thanked Allah and remarked that finally, the legal proceedings had reached their conclusion.
He acknowledged the defense’s persistent efforts to challenge the verdict but noted that the trial court, the high court, and the Supreme Court had all rigorously examined the case and upheld the death penalty. Mukadam pointed out that no new arguments emerged in the review petition, leading to its dismissal by the Supreme Court.
Noor Mukadam was tragically murdered in Islamabad in July 2021, a case that sparked nationwide outrage and intense public attention.
When asked if the lengthy legal battle affected his faith in the justice system, Mukadam encouraged victims’ families to remain patient and continue seeking legal remedies despite delays. He urged society to maintain hope and courage in the rule of law, stressing the importance of perseverance.
Highlighting the duration of the case, which spanned nearly five years, he advocated for judicial reforms aimed at expediting criminal trials and appeals. Mukadam suggested that while trial courts might need ample time for witness testimonies and evidence collection, appellate courts should operate under stricter time constraints—proposing a maximum of one year for the high court and six months for the Supreme Court.
In a significant development, he also called for swifter enforcement of death sentences in violent crime cases to serve as a deterrent. Mukadam stressed that punishing offenders who abduct and kill innocent young girls is crucial to reducing such crimes.
He noted that since Noor’s murder, similar incidents have occurred, reinforcing his belief that strict and prompt punishment is essential to prevent future offenses.
