Jaffer denied relief in Noor murder case

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued its detailed judgment dismissing a review petition filed by convicted murderer Zahir Jaffer against his death sentence in the Noor Mukadam murder case, observing that he had committed an extremely grave offence that did not warrant any reduction in punishment. The 12-page judgment, authored by Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, said Jaffer had sought commutation of his death sentence to life imprisonment on the grounds of mental illness. However, he failed to present any evidence that could justify a review of the court's earlier decision. The apex court observed that the record established that Jaffer had committed an extremely serious crime and that the nature of the offence did not warrant any reduction in sentence. It noted that the court's jurisdiction in a review petition was extremely limited and that a review could not be treated as an appeal. The judgment further stated that subjecting women to violence and insecurity was contrary to both Islamic and conventional laws. It said Islam provides women with protection and respect.