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
Islamabad, Abu Dhabi resolve to deepen cooperation as UAE minister arrives in Pakistan
- UAE’s Minister of Tolerance Sheikh Nayhan bin Mubarak Al Nayhan arrives in southern Khairpur city
- Al Nayhan meets Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, discuss joint initiatives, bilateral ties
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and UAE’s Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan on Wednesday discussed deepening bilateral cooperation and matters of mutual interest between the two states, the Pakistani interior ministry said.
The two officials met and held talks when Al Nayhan arrived in Pakistan’s southern Khairpur city, the interior ministry said. Both leaders jointly cut a cake to mark the UAE’s National Day, which is celebrated on Dec. 2 every year.
“During the meeting, there was a detailed discussion on further strengthening bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, matters of mutual interest and joint initiatives,” the interior ministry said.
Naqvi observed that the brotherly ties between Pakistan and the UAE are based on mutual trust, respect and long-standing friendship.
The Pakistani minister also noted that both countries remain firmly committed to further strengthening these ties, the statement said.
Pakistan considers the UAE a vital regional ally, with the Gulf nation being Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and the US.
It is also a major source of foreign investment for the South Asian country, valued at over $10 billion in the last 20 years, according to the UAE’s ministry of foreign affairs.
