About time: Celebrities react to news of Zahir Jaffer’s indictment

Zahir has been formally charged with the murder of Noor Mukadam

A local court on Thursday indicted Zahir Jaffer, the prime accused in the Noor Mukadam murder case, his parents and other accused. Noor Mukadam, the 27-year-old daughter of a former Pakistani diplomat, was murdered in Islamabad’s F-7/4 neighbourhood on July 20. Zahir was arrested at the crime scene on the same day. The incident had also sparked public outrage and grabbed media attention.

The indictment was met with positive reactions from both netizens and prominent celebrities. Actor Zahid Ahmed took to Twitter to share the news of Zahir’s indictment, retweeting a post, writing, “Finally, words of hope for mankind!” He had previously tweeted about the murder, asking, “What is it that we’re doing wrong? Where do we make the changes?” 

Finally, words of hope for mankind! https://t.co/ujEEf50aXZ

— Zahid Ahmed (@zahidahmed_) October 14, 2021

Writer Fatima Bhutto retweeted a chilling video of Zahir from court, in which he made his lack of remorse apparent. Bhutto wrote on Twitter, “Zahir Jaffer has absolutely no remorse. If ever one needed proof of his rage and lack of repentance it is this chilling statement: ‘Noor and I had fought. It was my fault, but she was also angry,’ he claimed.”

Zahir Jaffer has absolutely no remorse. If ever one needed proof of his rage and lack of repentance it is this chilling statement: “Noor and I had fought. It was my fault, but she was also angry,” he claimed. https://t.co/LBfKbuddPu

— fatima bhutto (@fbhutto) October 14, 2021

She went on to share the screenshot of her tweet on Instagram, adding further, “If a man ever speaks like this to you, in front of you, about someone you know, about a stranger: run.”  

Model Zara Peerzada, who has been vocal about the case on social media, shared a screenshot of the news of Zahir’s indictment on her Instagram story, accompanied by a hashtag demanding justice for Noor.  

Hum Kahan Kay Sachay Thay actor Usman Mukhtar, in a similar vein, shared a news post to his stories which read, “Zahir Jaffer formally charged with Noor Mukadam’s  murder.” The actor wrote alongside the post, “About time.” 

During the court proceedings, Zahir stated he had committed the crime and said "I did it" repeatedly, adding that the firearm used belonged to his father, Zakir Jaffer. 

He then made an astonishing claim and stated that Noor had "presented herself for sacrifice and it is permissible in Islam". Zahir also pleaded before the judge to change his sentence to house arrest as he "cannot go back to prison" as he "gets beaten up in jail".

The accused then got on his knees and apologised to the court. “I do not want to die behind bars. I should be married; I should have kids”. He stated that the lawyer’s remarks were baseless and pleaded to be pardoned. “Noor and I had fought. It was my fault, but she was also angry,” he claimed.

Zahir also attempted to speak to Noor’s father, alleging that he and Noor were in love and had been in a relationship for three years. “My life is in your hands, you can save me,” he said to the victim's father, adding that he did not mind if Shaukat wanted to take his life. Noor’s father, Shaukat Mukadam, later told journalists that Zahir was "lying".

Zahir’s parents and their servants are also under arrest on charges of abetment and hiding evidence. According to the challan, Therapy Works employees tried to cover up the crime and destroyed the evidence.