The brutal murder of Noor Mukadam in July 2021 shocked Pakistan, igniting nationwide outrage and a fervent call for justice. The 27-year-old daughter of a former diplomat, Noor was tortured, raped, and beheaded by Zahir Jaffer, a man she knew, at his residence in Islamabad. The case, marked by its horrific details and the high-profile status of both families, became a symbol of the pervasive issue of violence against women in Pakistan, with the hashtag #JusticeForNoor amplifying public demand for accountability and systemic change.
The legal proceedings that followed were closely watched, culminating in the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s landmark decision on May 20, 2025, to uphold Zahir Jaffer’s death sentence for murder. This timeline traces the key events of the case, from the crime itself to the judicial outcomes, including the trials, appeals, and public reactions. It reflects the case’s significance as a catalyst for discussions on gender-based violence, judicial efficiency, and societal attitudes, while highlighting the resilience of Noor’s family and advocates in their pursuit of justice.
July 7, 2021
- Zahir Jaffer books a one-way plane ticket to New York, scheduled for departure at 3:50 AM (PST) on July 19.
July 18, 2021
- Zahir Jaffer arranges a taxi to transport him to Islamabad International Airport.
- 9:05 PM: Noor Mukadam leaves her house and arrives at Zahir Jaffer’s residence in Sector F-7/4, Islamabad, around 10:00 PM.
July 19, 2021
- 2:15 AM: Zahir Jaffer and Noor Mukadam, who is described as “barefooted,” leave Jaffer’s residence and enter the taxi. En route to the airport, Jaffer instructs the driver to turn back, stating they are too late to reach on time.
- 2:35 AM: The taxi returns them to Jaffer’s residence. The driver notes that Noor was silent during the trip, while Zahir continued speaking to her.
July 20, 2021
- 12:57 AM: Noor’s father, Shaukat Mukadam, sends three text messages to Noor asking her whereabouts, but she does not respond.
- 5:48 AM: Noor’s mother sends messages to her, followed by calls from two family friends.
- 10:43 AM: Noor sends a voice recording to her mother, her final communication before her murder. The details of the recording are not publicly disclosed.
- Afternoon/Evening: Noor Mukadam is brutally murdered at Zahir Jaffer’s residence in Sector F-7/4, Islamabad. She is tortured with a knuckleduster, raped, and beheaded with a sharp-edged weapon.
- Evening: Shaukat Mukadam receives a call from Kohsar Police Station informing him of his daughter’s murder. He visits Jaffer’s residence and discovers Noor’s body, confirming she was beheaded. A First Information Report (FIR) is registered against Zahir Jaffer under Section 302 (premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Jaffer is arrested at the scene.
- Post-Murder: Zahir Jaffer contacts his parents instead of the police. They call Therapy Works, a counseling and psychotherapy center where Jaffer worked. Therapy Works staff arrive at the scene, and one employee is injured by Jaffer.
- Public Reaction: The gruesome nature of the murder sparks nationwide outrage, with the hashtag #JusticeForNoor trending on social media, amplifying calls for justice and highlighting violence against women in Pakistan.
July 21, 2021
- Zahir Jaffer is arrested and sent to three-day physical custody. Police recover a pistol, knife, and knuckleduster from the scene.
- Prime Minister Imran Khan takes notice of the case, directing Islamabad Police to ensure no concessions in the investigation and emphasizing justice delivery. Jaffer’s name is recommended for the Exit Control List, and authorities are asked to obtain his criminal records from the US and UK.
July 22, 2021
- Noor Mukadam is laid to rest at the Naval Anchorage graveyard in Islamabad.
- Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi condemns violence against women, referencing Noor’s murder alongside other cases.
- Islamabad SSP Investigation Ata-ur-Rehman clarifies that no firearms were used in the murder, refuting earlier reports.
- Social Media Reports: Narratives emerge alleging Jaffer’s history of violent outbursts and deportation from the UK for sexual harassment and rape charges.
July 24, 2021
- Arrest of Jaffer’s Parents and Staff: Zahir Jaffer’s parents, Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee, along with household staff (watchman Mohammad Iftikhar, gardener Jan Mohammad, and cook Jamil), are arrested for allegedly hiding evidence and being complicit in the crime, as Noor made multiple escape attempts but was prevented from leaving.
July 25, 2021
- Court Proceedings: Zahir Jaffer appears in court after three days in custody. Duty Magistrate Shoaib Bilal Ranjha hears the case.
- Therapy Works Clarification: Therapy Works denies authorizing Jaffer for clinical practice, contradicting his claim of being a therapist. An interim challan notes that Therapy Works employees attempted to cover up the crime, with one employee’s injury falsely reported as a road accident.
August 2, 2021
- Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed comments on the case, expressing hope that the court will impose a death sentence on Jaffer and ruling out an extrajudicial killing due to public and media scrutiny.
- Judicial Remand: A local court sends Zahir Jaffer to a 14-day judicial remand after police complete their initial investigation.
- Polygraph Test: Punjab forensic lab conducts a polygraph test on Jaffer, asking 20 questions.
August 15, 2021
- Forensic Evidence: Police confirm Jaffer’s involvement through fingerprint and DNA matching.
September 2021
- Challan Submission: Police submit the case challan to a sessions court in Islamabad.
October 2021
- Indictment: The court indicts 12 individuals, including Zahir Jaffer, his parents, household staff (Iftikhar, Jan Mohammad, Jamil), and six Therapy Works employees (Tahir Zahoor, Amjad, Dilip Kumar, Abdul Haq, Wamiq, Samar Abbas), for their alleged roles in the murder and related charges.
- Trial Begins: The murder trial formally starts on October 20, with Sub-Inspector Mohammad Raza, who registered the FIR, recording his testimony.
- Court Incident: During one hearing, Zahir Jaffer is forcibly removed from court after hurling obscenities at the judge.
January 15, 2022
- Shaukat Mukadam’s Testimony: Noor’s father testifies in court, demanding capital punishment for Zahir Jaffer.
February 24, 2022
- Trial Court Verdict: Additional Session Judge Atta Rabbani announces the verdict:
- Zahir Jaffer: Sentenced to death for murder, 25 years of rigorous imprisonment for rape, 10 years for kidnapping, and a fine of Rs200,000.
- Mohammad Iftikhar and Jan Mohammad: Each sentenced to 10 years in prison for abetting the crime by preventing Noor’s escape.
- Acquittals: Jaffer’s parents (Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee), cook Jamil, and Therapy Works employees are acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
- The court dismisses Jaffer’s defense claim of mental disorder.
- Shaukat Mukadam’s Statement: Noor’s father welcomes the verdict, stating, “This is not just my daughter’s case, it is a case for all theobucket
System: daughters of my country.”
- Public Reaction: Crowds gather outside the courtroom, and #JusticeForNoor trends widely, reflecting public demand for justice.
March 12, 2022
- Appeal by Shaukat Mukadam: Noor’s father appeals to increase the sentences of Zahir Jaffer, Mohammad Iftikhar, and Jan Mohammad, and challenges the acquittals of Zakir Jaffer, Asmat Adamjee, Jamil, and Therapy Works employees.
March 2022
- Zahir Jaffer’s Appeal: Jaffer challenges his death sentence in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
March 13, 2023
- IHC Verdict: A two-member bench, led by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq, upholds Zahir Jaffer’s death sentence for murder and converts his 25-year rape sentence into an additional death penalty. The appeals of co-accused Mohammad Iftikhar and Jan Mohammad are also rejected.
- Public Sentiment: Posts on X reflect approval of the IHC’s decision, emphasizing justice for Noor.
April 12–16, 2023
- Zahir Jaffer’s Supreme Court Appeal: Jaffer files an appeal in the Supreme Court against the IHC’s verdict, raising 23 reasons and arguing procedural flaws, including issues with the FIR, lack of mental health evaluation, and inadmissible evidence. He seeks acquittal, claiming media pressure and an unfair trial.
- Public Sentiment: X posts express frustration with Jaffer’s appeal, criticizing Pakistan’s justice system for enabling delays.
October 2024
- Shaukat Mukadam’s Plea: Noor’s father urges the Supreme Court to expedite the case, noting it has been pending for over one and a half years. He rejects reconciliation offers from Jaffer’s family, emphasizing the need to bring such a “beast” to justice.
May 13, 2025
- Supreme Court Hearing Scheduled: The Supreme Court lists Zahir Jaffer’s appeal and Shaukat Mukadam’s appeal against the acquittals for hearing.
May 19, 2025
- Supreme Court Hearing: A three-member bench, led by Justice Hashim Kakar and including Justices Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Ali Baqar Najafi, hears Jaffer’s appeal. Jaffer’s counsel, Salman Safdar, argues the lack of a mental health evaluation and questions the evidence, including CCTV footage and the murder weapon’s fingerprints. Justice Kakar observes that Noor was “mercilessly murdered.” The hearing is adjourned to the next day.
May 20, 2025
- Supreme Court Verdict: The Supreme Court delivers its final judgment:
- Zahir Jaffer: Death sentence for murder upheld under Section 302(b) of the PPC. The death sentence for rape is commuted to life imprisonment, and the 10-year kidnapping sentence is reduced to one year. A fine of Rs100,000 and compensation of Rs500,000 to Noor’s family are upheld.
- Mohammad Iftikhar and Jan Mohammad: Their 10-year sentences are reduced, and they are ordered released, as their time served is deemed sufficient.
- Acquittals Upheld: The court does not address Shaukat Mukadam’s appeal against the acquittals in the short order, with details pending in the written judgment.
- Court Observations: Justice Kakar notes the cultural context, stating Noor’s presence at Jaffer’s house was “against our values,” prompting criticism from women’s rights activist Farzana Bari for implying regressive notions about women’s autonomy.
- Public Reaction: Shafaq Zaidi, Noor’s childhood friend, calls the verdict a “victory for all women of Pakistan.” Human rights defender Tahira Abdullah hails it as a milestone against patriarchy and misogyny. X posts reflect relief and approval, though some express lingering grief over Noor’s loss.
- Presidential Pardon Note: The verdict notes that only a presidential pardon under Article 45 of the Constitution could potentially alter Jaffer’s death sentence.
Ongoing Context
- The case remains a landmark in Pakistan, sparking debates on women’s safety, judicial efficiency, and societal attitudes toward violence against women. Noor’s murder, due to its brutality and the high-profile status of both families, continues to resonate, with advocates pushing for systemic reforms.
