Noor Muqqadam’s father hails verdict

After the Islamabad sessions court awarded a death sentence to Zahir Zakir Jaffer in the murder of Noor Muqqadam, the victim’s father and plaintiff expressed his satisfaction over the verdict.

Talking to the media, he said justice has been done today and Noor's soul must have calmed down too.  “Our biggest demand was that the killer is brought to justice and executed." It is fulfilled today,” he added.

Women relatives of the victim, who had turned up to witness the final verdict, said that Zahir Jaffer's parents should also have been punished. “This is an incomplete decision. They should not have been acquitted,” they said.

Plaintiff's lawyer Shah Khawar told the media that he was satisfied with the court's decision and it became possible because of the tireless work of the prosecution.

Read: Zahir Jaffer awarded death sentence in Noor murder case

Answering a question, he said that he would consult the plaintiff on whether or not to challenge the acquittal of the other accused in the high court.

The lawyer said that the accused have the right to appeal against the sentence in the high court. Lawyer Shah Khawar explained that all the sentences would be carried out concurrently while the fine would be paid separately.

The detailed verdict stated that scientific and forensic evidence proved that Noor Muqqadam was killed by Zahir Jaffer and the body was recovered from his room. Defendants failed to negate the prosecution's evidence, it said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 25^th, 2022.