ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court has rejected Zahir Jaffer’s review petition against his death sentence in the Noor Mukadam murder case.
The top court ruled that he committed an extremely serious offence that did not warrant any reduction in punishment.
A 12-page judgment authored by Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim said Jaffer had sought to have his death sentence converted into life imprisonment on the grounds of mental illness.
However, the court observed that the convict had failed to present sufficient evidence to justify reconsideration of the earlier decision.
The judgment stated that the available record established Jaffer’s involvement in a grave crime and that the nature of the offence did not justify any reduction in his sentence.
The Supreme Court further clarified that its jurisdiction in review proceedings is limited and that a review petition cannot be treated as an appeal against an earlier judgment.
The court also highlighted the need to protect women from violence and insecurity, observing that subjecting women to violence and making them feel unsafe is contrary to both Islamic principles and worldly laws.
The judgment noted that Islam provides women with protection and dignity and stressed that violence against women cannot be condoned.
Zahir Jaffer was sentenced to death by a trial court for the rape and murder of Noor Mukadam.
The Islamabad High Court later upheld the death sentence, while the Supreme Court also maintained the punishment.
The latest decision means the Supreme Court has declined to reconsider Jaffer’s death sentence.
The Noor Mukadam murder case has remained one of Pakistan’s most closely watched criminal cases, which drew widespread public attention and renewed debate over violence against women and the need for effective protection and justice.
The punishment awarded to Jaffer remains intact after the review petition was dismissed.
