Islamabad: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has scheduled the hearing of a review petition filed by Zahir Jaffer in the high-profile murder case of Noor Mukadam for Wednesday, April 8, according to an official cause list issued on Saturday.
Noor, 27, was murdered in July 2021 at Zahir’s residence in Islamabad. Investigators found that she was tortured before being killed. A trial court sentenced Zahir to death, and the Islamabad High Court upheld the conviction. However, Zahir later filed a review petition challenging the verdict.
Defense raises mental health and evidence concerns
Zahir’s counsel, Advocate Khawaja Haris, submitted a 47-page petition under Article 188 of the Constitution. The plea argued that the court did not adequately address claims regarding Zahir’s alleged mental incapacity.
Furthermore, the petition challenged the rape conviction, asserting that the record lacks sufficient evidence to support the charge. It also questioned the admissibility of video recordings used in the judgment, claiming they were neither properly verified during trial nor shared with the defense.
Court verdict relied on digital evidence framework
Previously, the Supreme Court commuted the rape sentence to life imprisonment while maintaining the death penalty for murder. It also acquitted Zahir of kidnapping but upheld a one-year sentence for wrongful confinement.
Importantly, the court emphasized the role of digital evidence, applying the “silent witness theory” to accept video footage as primary evidence without eyewitness testimony.
The case, which drew nationwide attention, also involved co-accused household staff receiving prison sentences, while Zahir’s parents were later acquitted.
The upcoming hearing will determine whether any legal grounds exist to revisit the apex court’s earlier ruling.
