Prime Minister Imran Khan has promised to bring justice in the case of Noor Muqadam, a 27-year old woman who was killed in Islamabad a day before Eid-ul-Azha, and said that the killer, whether rich or poor or a dual citizen, will not be spared and be punished.
Answering the telephone questions of the people yesterday, PM Imran Khan said that the Noor Muqadam murder case has shaken us all. The prime minister said that he has been following her case from the first day and such a case is terrible.
Progress made so far
Noor Muqadam, a 27-year-old girl, was killed with a sharp object on 20th May in the F-7/4 area of Islamabad by Zahir Jaffer, son of Zakir Jaffer, whose family was the ex-diplomat’s acquaintances.
The government has blacklisted the accused in the Noor Muqadam murder case, while Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid has said that the accused in the case will be brought to justice in any case. However, a few days ago, the federal interior minister had also expressed his desire to kill Noor Muqadam’s killer Zahir Jaffer with his own hands.
Accused transferred to Adiala Jail
Zahir Jaffer, accused in the murder case of Noor Muqadam, daughter of former Pakistani ambassador, has been transferred to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on a 14-day judicial remand. He was produced in the court of Model Judicial Magistrate on completion of two days physical remand.
Earlier, Islamabad Police had obtained a total of 12 days of physical remand of the accused. Strict security arrangements were made for the court appearance.
Zahir Jaffer’s dual citizenship
The Noor Muqadam murder case is being pending in court despite all evidence and many rumours are circulating about the case, in short, this has become a high-profile case. Due to the US citizenship of the accused in this case, some sources believe that Zahir Jaffer will easily get out of the grip of Pakistani law.
Police officials say that Zahir Jaffer, the accused in the Noor Muqadam murder case, is repeatedly trying to intimidate his American citizenship during the investigation, while some sources say that like Raymond Davis, Zahir Jaffer will also get American help.
American intervention
After becoming the most high-profile case in Pakistan, the United States has also come forward as the accused is a US national but backed from legal support in this case.
Moreover, shortly after that, the US embassy had issued a statement on Twitter stating that the US citizen is sentenced according to the country he is living in.
Stance of America
The United States has clarified that if a US citizen is arrested, the embassy can meet with him and ask for his status and provide him with legal assistance, but the US embassy can neither provide legal advice nor get involved in court proceedings neither it affects the release of a convict, but sources say the United States is trying to save its citizens in any case, the consequences of which will soon begin to emerge.
Fundraising campaign
Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in atrocities against women and the recent spate of incidents that have shaken the state and Noor’s case despite being a very high profile case, is a matter of great concern. In this regard, a fundraising campaign for Noor Muqadam’s case has also been launched, which is run by Noor’s parents and legal adviser of the case.
The campaign was later called off, but it has raised $50,000, which shows a practical proof of citizens’ interest in bringing justice to the case.
State responsibility
The alarming concern is why did the heirs need to ask for donations for the legal battle when is the responsibility of the state to provide justice to every citizen and case this is the case in which the eyes of not only the entire nation but the entire world are on the state of Pakistan.
Everything in Pakistan has a price and justice here is not possible without money and that is why the killer seems relaxed even after committing a crime because he is probably sure that his wealth will save him from prison.
It is now the responsibility of the state to bring the accused to justice while fulfilling the requirements of justice in this case and to set an example for the society so that no one would dare to become another Jaffer again.
