Zahir Jaffer seeks review of death penalty

The review petition states that May 20 judgment did not address issue of unsoundness of mind or mental capacity

ISLAMABAD:

Zahir Jaffer, the man convicted for the murder of Noor Muqadam, has moved the Supreme Court for the review of the apex court's decision to uphold the death awarded to him.

The review petition, filed through Khawaja Haris, stated that "the hype created on the social media" constantly created hatred towards him throughout the investigation and the trial and even at appeal stage, thereby significantly breaching his fundamental right to fair trial and due process.

The review petition states that the May 20 judgment did not address the issue of unsoundness of mind or mental capacity of the petitioner that was raised before this court.

"It is submitted that the plea so raised on behalf of the petitioner is of immense significance, both as regards the validity of his trial as well as for purposes of determination of the petitioner's culpability and/or quantum of sentence," says the petition.

"As such, leaving this matter undetermined has gravely prejudiced the interests of justice and the rights of the Petitioner as guaranteed by the Constitution in terms of Article 4, 9, and 10-A of the Constitution," it continues.

"It is submitted with respect, to have been influenced by a planned and sustained campaign launched on social media, inter alia, by the complainant, against the Petitioner in particular, and, as such, the learned trial Judge never made any effort to consider the Petitioner's plea within the framework of law."