ISLAMABAD: Citing concerns of possible obstruction of justice, the Islamabad High Court on Wednesday dismissed a bail plea by the parents of Zahir Zakir Jaffer, the prime suspect in July’s gruesome murder of Noor Mukadam.
Mukadam, 27, was found beheaded at a residence in Islamabad’s upscale F-7/4 neighborhood on July 20 in a case that has sparked public outrage and grabbed media attention unlike any other recent crime against women. Police arrested Jaffer from the crime scene on the day of the murder. Jaffer’s parents and a cook, gardener and a security guard at the Jaffer home are also under arrest and being investigated on various charges, including abetment and concealment of evidence.
The parents, Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee, had made a bail appeal with the IHC after it was rejected by a district court last month.
“The case is almost ripe for trial, hence there is every likelihood that if they are enlarged on bail they might obstruct the course of justice, tamper with the prosecution evidence and/or try to influence the trial,” Judge Aamer Farooq said in the IHC’s decision.
A local court in Islamabad said last week that it will frame by October 6 charges against all suspects, including the prime suspect’s parents, their household staff and six employees of Therapy Works, an Islamabad-based counselling facility, who reached the crime scene on the request of Jaffer’s father to “conceal the crime and destroy the evidence,” according to a detailed charge sheet filed by police investigators and seen by Arab News.
The IHC has directed the court to conclude the trial within two months.
“Since the trial is about to commence as it is expected that on 06.10.2021 the charge shall be framed,” the court order said. “The learned Trial Court is directed to conclude the trial expeditiously preferably within eight weeks from the framing of charge.”
High court denies bail to parents of prime suspect in Noor Mukadam murder
https://arab.news/86y93
High court denies bail to parents of prime suspect in Noor Mukadam murder
- Islamabad High Court directs trial court to conclude its proceedings within two months
- Trial in the murder case is scheduled to commence on October 6
Pakistan, Indonesia agree to establish joint trade committee to deepen economic partnership
- Both countries last month signed seven agreements to deepen cooperation in trade, higher education, halal certification and health
- Pakistan intends to organize a Single-Country Exhibition and Business Forum in Jakarta, with invitations extended to ASEAN members
KARACHI: Pakistan and Indonesia further strengthened their economic partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of the Indonesia–Pakistan Joint Trade Committee (JTC) to enhance dialogue, facilitate cooperation and jointly address opportunities and challenges in bilateral trade, the Pakistani commerce ministry said on Saturday.
The development comes a month after both countries signed seven memoranda of understanding to deepen cooperation in trade, higher education, halal certification and health during Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s two-day visit to Islamabad.
The MoU was signed following successful high-level talks led by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and visiting Indonesian Vice Minister of Trade Ms. Dyah Roro Esty Widya Putri, reflecting a shared commitment to deepening economic ties.
Khan underscored Indonesia’s strategic importance within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and highlighting its potential role as a regional hub for fostering trilateral and regional economic cooperation.
“Pakistan could serve as a reliable source for minerals, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and agri-food commodities for the Indonesian market,” he was quoted as saying.
Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan’s bilateral trade with Indonesia stood at $4.5 billion, with more than 90 percent of it comprising palm oil imports from Indonesia. He said both sides discussed “corrective measures” to balance this trade during President Subianto’s visit to Islamabad.
Commerce Minister Khan conveyed Pakistan’s intention to organize a Single-Country Exhibition and Business Forum in Jakarta, with invitations to be extended to ASEAN member states aimed at showcasing Pakistani products and strengthening regional business linkages, according to the commerce ministry.
The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) sought Indonesian facilitation for the early announcement of fruit import quotas, rationalization of certification requirements for Pakistani exports, notification of rice import quotas, and improved market access for industrial-grade potatoes from Pakistan.
“Both sides agreed to work jointly toward expanding the existing Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), with the shared objective of progressing toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to unlock greater trade and investment opportunities,” the commerce ministry added.
