Ministry asked to put Noor’s ‘killer’ on ECL

Probe team to reach out to UK, US for suspect’s criminal record

ISLAMABAD:

The interior ministry has been asked to place the name of the suspect in the murder of former Pakistani envoy’s daughter Noor Muqaddam on the Exit Control List (ECL).

On Tuesday, 26-year-old Noor, daughter of the former ambassador to South Korea, was killed in Islamabad allegedly by Zahir Zamir Jaffer, son of Zakir Jaffer, whose family was the ex-diplomat's acquaintances.

The ministry will add the name to the ECL after approval by the federal cabinet.

The summary to the ministry has been sent by Islamabad Chief Commissioner Amir Ali Ahmad on the recommendation of the federal police.

An investigation team will contact the US and the UK, where the suspect had resided, through the foreign ministry to find out if he had a criminal record.

IG Islamabad Qazi Jameel-ur-Rehman on Friday held a meeting with the investigation team of the case at the central police office.

Briefing the Islamabad police chief on the case, the SSP investigation – the head of the team -- said the statements of the victim's parents, the suspect’s father and two security guards had been recorded.

The forensic team had also gathered all the evidence on the scene while further investigation was under way to bring the case to its logical conclusion, he added.

The IG instructed the SSP to contact the relevant agencies to include the name of the suspect in the ECL.

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He also directed the official to obtain criminal records, if any, of the suspect from the UK and US.

Expressing satisfaction over the investigation, the police chief said while fulfilling the requirements of justice, no pressure should be taken or favour entertained so that the culprit could be punished severely.

The Kohisar police have received the initial autopsy report that revealed several marks of torture on the body, particularly deep wounds on the knee.

The material taken from the stomach has been sent to a laboratory, after which the final report will be prepared.

The victim’s head was severed from her body. Noor’s father had told the police in his statement that his daughter was killed with a sharp object. There was also the possibility of sexual abuse, he added.

SAPM on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill said Prime Minister Imran Khan had taken a briefing from the IG on the case and was personally looking into the matter.

He added that said if the police had received the information in time, Noor could have been saved.

The SAPM assured the former ambassador that the government and nation were standing by him at this crucial juncture.

“Human Rights Minister Dr Shireen Mazari is personally in touch with the police [to review the case].”