Justice finally prevailed as a sessions court in Islamabad on Thursday sentenced primary suspect Zahir Jaffer to death for the murder of Noor Mukadam. Jaffer’s household staff members Iftikhar and Jameel who were both co-accused in Noor’s murder were sentenced to 10 years in jail. Iftikhar and Jameel who worked as watchman and gardener respectively were punished for being accomplices in crime. 9 others including including Zahir’s parents and TherapyWorks employees have however been acquitted.
Additional Sessions Judge Ata Rabbani announced the verdict, which was reserved on Tuesday following seven months of hearings.
Zahir, his father Zakir Jaffer, mother Asmat Adamjee and other suspects were present in the court when the verdict was announced. It was announced in a packed court today ending the eight month ordeal. The trial continued for over eight months which 19 witnesses testified before the court.
A fairly relieved Shaukat Mukadam addressed media shortly after the verdict was out. Noor’s father Shaukat Mukadam said a favourable court decision was critical. He said the decision was not only about his daughter, but was a question of all the daughters of Pakistan.