ISLAMABAD: A sessions court in Islamabad today (Monday) extended for 14 days the judicial remand of parents and two household staffers of Zahir Jaffer for their alleged involvement in the murder of Noor Mukadam, the daughter of a former Pakistani ambassador.
The suspects were presented before Judicial Magistrate Nasseruddin’s court today. The extension was sought following the expiry of their previous two-week remand pronounced on July 27.
After hearing the request, the judge asked the plaintiffs whether they would like to present their arguments in the case. The lawyers responded by saying that they will not present their arguments if the judge will send the suspects to jail on remand.
After judicial magistrate Naseeruddin granted a fresh extension of remand today, the suspects are now set to remain in Adiala Jail for another 14 days.
On August 5, the sessions court had dismissed bail application filed by Jaffer’s parents and noted in its “tentative assessment” that the suspects “not only caused abetment but also made utmost efforts to wipe off evidence”.
Mukadam, was found beheaded at a residence in Islamabad’s upscale F-7/4 sector on July 20. She was the daughter of Pakistan’s former ambassador to South Korea and Kazakhstan, Shaukat Mukadam.
US national Jaffer, the son of businessman Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee, was arrested on the same day and has since been in police custody. His physical remand was to expire on Saturday, but was extended after the prosecution asked for more time for police to investigate CCTV footage from the crime scene.
“Zahir’s remand has been extended by another two days as the police investigate recently acquired CCTV footage further,” Mukadam’s legal team said on their official account sharing updates on the case.
