In a long-awaited judgment that reverberated across Pakistan, the Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the death sentence of Zahir Jaffer for the brutal murder of 27-year-old Noor Mukadam, marking a powerful milestone in the fight against gender-based violence and impunity for the privileged.
The apex court’s decision has been hailed by legal experts and civil society as a “rare achievement” and a “victory for women,” underscoring the need for structural reforms in a justice system often criticized for favoring wealth and influence over accountability.
Noor Mukadam was found brutally murdered in July 2021 at Zahir Jaffer’s residence in Islamabad. Investigations revealed she had been tortured and ultimately beheaded. Zahir, a man of considerable privilege, was handed the death sentence by a trial court, a verdict that was later upheld by the Islamabad High Court in 2023. He then approached the Supreme Court, where a three-member bench consisting of Justices Hashim Kakar, Ishtiaq Ibrahim, and Ali Baqar Najafi reviewed his appeal—and unanimously rejected it.
A Turning Point for Women’s Justice in Pakistan
Prominent lawyer Zainab Shahid described the verdict as a “rare victory for the women of Pakistan,” emphasizing that it demonstrated the legal system’s potential to hold even the most powerful accountable. She noted that this case broke the unfortunate trend of high-profile perpetrators escaping justice due to procedural failures or coerced settlements under diyat (blood money) laws.
“This ruling is a vital reminder that justice can prevail, even when the accused belongs to a segment of society that usually evades consequences,” Shahid said. “It sends a strong message that gender-based violence will not be excused or overlooked.”
Systemic Challenges and Judicial Mindsets
While the outcome was welcomed, several legal voices highlighted the deeper issues that remain entrenched within Pakistan’s judiciary. Barrister Rida Hosain warned that despite the ruling, the case revealed the enduring patriarchy within the system.
“Justice Hashim Kakar’s remarks during the hearing were deeply concerning. Suggesting that Noor’s presence at Zahir’s house or her personal choices could influence the judgment reflects a mindset that wrongly shifts scrutiny onto the victim,” Hosain stated. “Victim-blaming must have no place in our courts.”
Hosain stressed the urgent need for gender-sensitization training for judges, pointing out that moral judgments have no role in legal proceedings focused on evidence and the law.
Credit to the Family, Prosecutors, and Civil Society
Barrister Asad Rahim Khan called the Supreme Court’s affirmation a “rare accomplishment,” acknowledging the resilience of Noor’s family in the face of societal pressure to settle the case privately.
“It’s not common for wealthy perpetrators to face full accountability in Pakistan. Noor’s family deserves immense credit for resisting coercion, as do the prosecutors who presented a watertight case, and the civil society that refused to let this tragedy be forgotten,” Khan remarked.
However, he emphasized that justice would only be complete once the sentence is fully implemented.
Reform Must Follow Justice
Lawyer Mirza Moiz Baig described the ruling as legally sound, noting that the Supreme Court was not tasked with reevaluating the evidence but ensuring the law was correctly applied. He praised the absence of legal errors in the trial court’s and IHC’s proceedings.
Baig, however, pointed to the broader implications: “There are countless women like Noor across Pakistan who suffer violence daily. This verdict must inspire systemic reform—particularly in how we investigate and prosecute crimes against women. Without structural change, justice will remain the exception, not the rule.”
The Crime and Its Legal Boundaries
Lawyer Abdul Moiz Jaferii called the murder of Noor Mukadam one of the most heinous crimes in recent memory, affirming that the death sentence was legally justified, given the premeditated and violent nature of the crime.
“The defense tried to argue Zahir’s mental instability, but the overwhelming evidence of planning and brutality made it clear he was fully aware of his actions,” Jaferii explained.
Still, he criticized the court for veering into moral commentary, especially concerning Noor’s choices and character. “The Supreme Court’s role is to deliver justice—not to weigh in on cultural norms or pass moral judgments on the victim. That was neither necessary nor appropriate,” he concluded.
The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Zahir Jaffer’s death sentence delivers a significant, albeit rare, moment of accountability in Pakistan’s deeply flawed criminal justice system. While the ruling is a testament to legal perseverance and public pressure, it also lays bare the pressing need for judicial reform, gender sensitization, and structural safeguards that protect women from violence and discrimination.
Justice for Noor Mukadam has been served—but lasting change requires ensuring that every woman in Pakistan can access that same justice, regardless of the perpetrator’s privilege.
