Latest news with #SupremeCourtofPakistan
News18
10 hours ago
- General
- News18
Letter From Pakistan: UP Families Finally Hear From Sons Lodged In Karachi Jail For 5 Years
Last Updated: The victims claimed that Pakistani officials were ready to release them but awaited necessary formalities from the Indian side to facilitate their return A wave of deep emotions surged through Dhausad village in the Tindwari police station area of Banda district, Uttar Pradesh, when the family of Chand Babu and his friend Laxman, who have been imprisoned in Karachi jail in Pakistan for the last five years, received a letter from them. The arrival of the letter from Pakistan took the villagers by surprise. As soon as the letter reached their home, the family was overwhelmed with mixed emotions of happiness and sorrow. The letter, delivered by two fishermen recently released from a Gujarat jail, contained an appeal from Chand Babu and Laxman to Indian leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, urging the Government of India to ensure their release and bring them back home. The letter revealed that the Supreme Court of Pakistan had declared them innocent and ordered their release in 2023, but there had been no formal response from the Indian government. The victims indicated that Pakistani officials were willing to release them but required the completion of formalities from the Indian side to facilitate their return. The receipt of the letter brought a wave of happiness to the family, yet concerns about their return persist. According to reports, the family is pleading with the Indian government to bring them back. According to Jageshwar, a family member, the boat carrying Chand Babu and Laxman had reached the Pakistan border due to strong winds, leading to their arrest by the Pakistani Army. Despite appeals to various authorities, including the District Magistrate and the Foreign Ministry, no concrete results have been achieved so far. The incident occurred five years ago when Chand Babu and Laxman went to Gujarat for fishing. The strong winds pushed their boat across the Pakistan border, resulting in their arrest by the Pakistani army. First Published: June 03, 2025, 19:35 IST
Express Tribune
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
'This is for every woman'
Following four years of a legal battle in the Noor Mukadam case, the Supreme Court of Pakistan upheld Zahir Jaffer's death sentence on Tuesday. Led by Justice Hashim Kakar, three members including Justices Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Ali Baqar Najafi presided over the bench for the third hearing of Zahir's appeal against his death sentence, which it later dismissed. Zahir's death sentence by the trial court had already been upheld by the Islamabad High Court. "This is a victory for all the women of Pakistan. It shows that our justice system can deliver justice and should give women more confidence in the legal process," Noor's friend, Shafaq Zaidi, told AFP. "This was our last resort, and it's hard to put into words what this outcome means to us." Under Article 45, the power to grant Zahir pardon, reprieve and respite, and to remit, suspend or commute his sentence now lies with the President. "After four long years of relentless struggle, we finally have #JusticeForNoor," said the Instagram statement by handle Justice For Noor, run by the deceased's friends. "This verdict is more than a decision - it is a powerful reminder that women's lives matter, their voices will be heard, and their stories will not be silenced. This is not just for Noor. This is for every woman in Pakistan." Artists weigh in Artists and activists were also quick to laud the decision regarding the case, which caused nationwide outrage after it was first brought to light in 2021. The news prompted reactions from various celebrities. Mahira Khan reshared the post on Instagram Stories with a dove emoji, while Mawra Hocane wrote, "Justice for Noor, served." Aiman Khan offered a simple prayer: "Alhamdulillah." Also sharing the news on Instagram Stories, Dananeer Mobeen wrote, "No amount of torture and punishment will ever be enough for this monster. Rest in peace, Noor." Meanwhile, Osman Khalid Butt penned his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter). Referring to Noor's father, he wrote, "For almost four years, Shaukat uncle kept reassuring us that he had full faith in the judicial system. Alhamdulillah, the Supreme Court has upheld Zahir's death sentence today after a strong rebuttal by the prosecution team. I would like to thank the SC for honouring his belief that, in the end, justice would triumph." In a different note, Osman reassessed the dominance of justice over privilege, reminding his followers that Noor's family won this battle against an influential perpetrator. "The assumption that both parties were 'equally powerful', and that Noor's background alone secured her justice, is not only incorrect, but it also takes away from landmark judgement," he observed. "That Zahir's conviction was upheld despite his family's reach and legal resources is the real story." The Ehde Wafa actor stressed that the ruling has set a powerful precedent, warning privileged criminals that they can't easily flee their crimes and that their status will grant them no leniency when it comes to gender-based violence. "As a lawyer friend once said: it's not the background of a victim that prejudices a case, but that of the perpetrator, who is then let off." He acknowledged that the verdict wasn't inevitable and that the defence had prepared an "exhaustive" case for not just a reduced sentence but for Zahir's complete acquittal. "Every legal loophole that could be exploited, was." Admitting that he holds some grievances, he added, "I have strong objections to some of the statements made by the SC bench (which I'll discuss separately). However, the court upheld the death sentence despite minor procedural and protocol flaws in evidence recovery. Justice prevailed over red-tape protocols." Osman concluded that the case will be used as a strong source for all future cases of a similar "heinous nature", carving out a path for other victims to be brought to justice. "It is a roadmap for all victims who might be silenced or dismissed. Recognise and celebrate that." Bittersweet sentiments Noor was 27 years old when she was found brutally murdered inside Zahir's residence in Islamabad's F-7/4 sector. Further investigation revealed that, prior to her death, she had been tortured by a knuckleduster and beheaded. The case prompted an outpouring of sympathy and grief towards the victim, her friends, and family - especially her father, former ambassador Shaukat Ali Mukadam, who fought long and hard to bring his daughter's killer to justice. The recent news has reignited the internet's emphatic outcry against femicide. Relief over the SC ruling hung in the balance, as many social media users reluctantly celebrated the new development. "Justice delayed but served. Thinking of both Noor and her father today. This is a country where fathers routinely kill their own daughters in the name of so-called honour, but Noor's father fought tirelessly for justice for her even after she was gone. May her family find peace now," an X user hoped. Another wrote, "Noor Mukadam will never come home. But today, justice did. Zahir Jaffer's final appeal has been rejected. His death sentence stands. Let this verdict echo: women are not disposable. Her voice became a reckoning. This is for every woman who was ever silenced."
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First Post
21-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Landmark verdict in Pakistan: Death penalty upheld in gruesome murder of diplomat's daughter
A three-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, headed by Justice Hashim Kakar, delivered the landmark ruling in a case that has again exposed deep-seated issues of gender violence in the country read more Pakistan's top court on Tuesday (May 20) upheld the death penalty of Zahir Jaffer, a Pakistani-American and son of a wealthy industrialist. Jaffer is convicted of the 2021 gruesome murder of Noor Mukadam, the 27-year-old daughter of a former Pakistani envoy. A three-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan , headed by Justice Hashim Kakar, delivered the landmark ruling in a case that has again laid bare deep-seated issues of gender violence and privilege in the South Asian nation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD More about the case The high-profile case came to light in July 2021 when Noor Mukadam's body was found at Jaffer's residence in Islamabad's upscale Sector F-7/4. The body had signs of extreme torture, rape, beheading and brutal killing. At the scene, Jaffer was found covered in blood. Initial investigation revealed that Jaffer had held Noor hostage for two days after she turned down his marriage proposal. Jaffer allegedly tortured her with knuckleduster, raped and also decapitated her. The horrific case triggered a nationwide outrage. It also attracted expansive media coverage because both the victim and the perpetrator belonged to Pakistan's elite class. The case also reignited the debate over violence against women and the access to justice and fair trials. The Supreme Court in Tuesday ruling dismissed Jaffer's plea against the death penalty earlier imposed by a lower court. Jaffer's lawyers argued that their client was not given a fair trial because of media's pressure. They also claimed 'erroneous appreciation' of evidence in the case. The court meanwhile upheld Jaffer's death sentence for murder but converted another death sentence for rape case to life imprisonment, citing legal deliberations. Shaukat Mukadam, Noor's father, welcome the ruling, saying, 'This is not just my daughter's case; it is a case for all the daughters of Pakistan'. What do critics say? Critics say the case got a lot of attention because the victim was from a wealthy, influential family. Women's rights activist Tahira Abdullah pointed out that the murder of Mukadam received much more focus than similar cases involving less privileged women, which often get little attention or quick justice. Pakistan ranks very low, 153 out of 156 countries, in gender equality, according to the World Economic Forum's 2021 report. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Domestic violence is also a big problem, with 28 per cent of women aged 15-49 saying they've faced physical violence, as reported by the Ministry of Human Rights.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan Supreme Court upholds death penalty in beheading case
ISLAMABAD: In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday upheld the death sentence of Zahir Jaffer , convicted of the gruesome 2021 murder of Noor Mukadam, the 27-year-old daughter of a former Pakistani diplomat. The decision, delivered by a three-member bench led by Justice Hashim Kakar, reaffirmed the judiciary's stance on a case that has gripped the nation and exposed deep-seated issues of gender violence and privilege in Pakistan's elite circles. The ruling, however, also raises questions about the consistency of justice in a country where systemic inequalities often shield the powerful. The case, one of the most high-profile in Pakistan's recent history, stems from the horrific events of July 20, 2021, when Noor Mukadam was found tortured and beheaded at Jaffer's residence in Islamabad's upscale Sector F-7/4. Jaffer, a Pakistani-American and son of a wealthy industrialist, was arrested at the scene, covered in blood. Investigations revealed that Mukadam, a childhood acquaintance, was held hostage for two days, tortured with a knuckleduster, raped, and ultimately decapitated after allegedly rejecting Jaffer's marriage proposal. The brutality of the crime, coupled with the elite status of both the victim and the perpetrator, sparked nationwide outrage and reignited debates over violence against women in Pakistan. The apex court's verdict dismissed Jaffer's appeal, which claimed 'erroneous appreciation' of evidence and questioned the fairness of the trial due to media influence. The court upheld the death penalty for murder but converted Jaffer's second death sentence for rape to life imprisonment, citing legal considerations. 'This is not just my daughter's case; it is a case for all the daughters of Pakistan,' said Shaukat Mukadam, Noor's father. The ruling has been hailed by many as a victory for accountability, with social media posts on X reflecting public relief: 'I hope Noor's parents will sleep a little better tonight,' wrote one user, while another called it a 'win for humanity.' Yet, the decision also exposes uncomfortable truths about Pakistan's legal and social landscape. Critics argue that the case's prominence owes much to the victim's elite background, highlighting a stark disparity in how justice is pursued. 'Mukadam's status as a diplomat's daughter shone a spotlight on her murder,' said women's rights activist Tahira Abdullah, noting that countless similar cases involving less privileged women rarely garner such attention or swift judicial action. Pakistan ranks 153 out of 156 countries in the World Economic Forum's 2021 gender gap index, and domestic violence remains a pervasive issue, with 28% of women aged 15-49 reporting physical violence, according to the ministry of human rights.
Business Recorder
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
CJP highlights long-standing, cordial judicial ties with Türkiye
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi highlighted the long-standing and cordial judicial relations between Pakistan and Türkiye, rooted in mutual respect, shared legal traditions, and deep cultural ties. Irfan Neziroglu, ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye, called on the chief justice at the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Islamabad. During the meeting, the chief justice warmly welcomed the esteemed guest and expressed his sincere gratitude for the exceptional hospitality extended by the Turkish judiciary during his recent official visit to Türkiye. The chief justice had visited Türkiye to participate in the 63rd Anniversary celebrations of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Türkiye. The chief justice appreciated the ongoing cooperation in the field of judicial education and capacity building of various tiers of judicial system. Underscoring the significance of mutual learning and exchange of judicial best practices, the chief justice emphasised the need to broaden the scope of collaboration to include Pakistan's district judiciary. He noted that structured exposure to Türkiye's advancements in court management, digitisation of judicial processes, and application of Artificial Intelligence in judicial systems would be highly beneficial for judicial officers at all levels. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the judiciaries of Pakistan and Türkiye through sustained institutional engagements and knowledge-sharing initiatives. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
