Post by : Raina
Al-Fahim
Islamabad, Pakistan – A prominent judge in Pakistan has asserted that the murder of Noor Mukadam, the daughter of a former diplomat, is related to the increasing normalization of “live-in relationships” within society. Justice Ali Baqar Najafi of the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) emphasized that these relationships frequently disregard traditional social standards, which can culminate in severe repercussions.
The 27-year-old Noor Mukadam was found murdered in the residence of Zahir Zakir Jaffer on July 20, 2021, an incident that sent shockwaves throughout the nation. Following the heinous act, Jaffer and two of his house staff were apprehended shortly thereafter.
In a 2022 ruling, a trial court in Islamabad condemned Jaffer to death for murder and imposed an additional 25 years of rigorous imprisonment for rape. His accomplices, Mohammad Iftikhar and Jan Mohammad, received ten-year prison sentences. The Supreme Court subsequently ratified Jaffer’s death sentence.
Justice Najafi, who now serves on the FCC following its establishment through the 27th Constitutional Amendment, remarked during the reconsideration of Jaffer’s case that the murder illustrates the dangers posed by neglecting legal and societal responsibilities. He asserted that “live-in relationships” defy both civil law and Sharia’s personal law, emphasizing their role in contributing to criminal activity.
The murder occurred in Islamabad’s affluent Sector F-7/4 and remains a pivotal case in debates surrounding social ethics, legal regulation, and personal behavior in Pakistan.
The judge's comments have ignited discussions across the nation, centering on the legal, ethical, and societal ramifications of live-in relationships, particularly within more conservative contexts.
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