ISLAMABAD: Fingerprints of Zahir Jaffer, the prime accused in the grisly murder of 27-year-old Noor Mukadam in July last year, were not found on a knife recovered from the crime scene, while his pants contained no blood stains at the time of his arrest, the investigating officer in the case said on Monday.
Mukadam, the daughter of a former Pakistani diplomat, was found beheaded at a residence in Islamabad’s upscale F-7/4 neighborhood, in a case that has sparked public outrage and grabbed media attention unlike any other recent crime against women. The prime accused was arrested from the crime scene on the day of the murder and has since been in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail.
The case is now in the concluding stage in an Islamabad district court, where additional sessions judge Atta Rabbani has been conducting the hearings. Eyewitnesses have recorded their statements in the case and defense attorneys are now cross-examining them.
During Monday’s proceedings, Jaffer’s counsel, Sikandar Zulqarnain, cross-examined the investigating officer, Inspector Abdul Sattar, to point out weaknesses and loopholes in his testimony.
“Zahir’s marks on the knife are not found in the fingerprint report,” the investigating officer said in response to a question from the defense counsel. “When we arrested Zahir, his pants did not contain any blood stain.”
DNA tests conducted on clothes, the weapon of offense and other material collected from the crime scene had suggested earlier in August 2021 that Jaffer had murdered Mukadam.
An official of the Punjab Forensic Science Agency said at the time that the victim’s blood and the accused’s fingerprints were found on the murder weapon, while tests had confirmed Jaffer’s blood and semen was found on the victim’s clothes but could not confirm rape or consensual sex.
Inspector Sattar said he didn’t see Mukadam’s handbag and clothes that she was wearing on July 18 at the time of entering Jaffer’s home. He said Mukadam’s torn clothes seen in the CCTV footage were not found during investigation.
“There is no evidence that Zahir murdered Noor, except for the forensics,” the investigating officer said, adding that Mukadam’s photogrammetry test was not carried out.
Photogrammetry is a powerful tool in forensic analysis that involves an accurate 3D reconstruction of an accident or crime scene, especially in cases where position, distance and perspective are important.
Inspector Sattar recounted the process of evidence gathering, mapping of the crime scene, recovery of Jaffer and Noor’s mobile phones and other details relating to the case in response to questions asked by the accused’s lawyer.
Jaffer on Monday walked into the courtroom along with police officials unlike his previous appearances in a chair or on a stretcher. He remained seated on the floor of the courtroom during the hearing.
Others charged in the case include Jaffer’s parents, Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee, their three-household staff, Iftikhar, Jan Muhammad and Jameel, and six workers from Therapy Works, a counselling center from where Jaffer had received certification to become a therapist and where he had been receiving treatment in the weeks leading up to the murder.
The court will resume hearing the case on Wednesday.
Zahir Jaffer’s fingerprints not found on murder weapon – Noor Mukadam case investigator
https://arab.news/pe3y3
Zahir Jaffer’s fingerprints not found on murder weapon – Noor Mukadam case investigator
- Mukadam was found beheaded at an upscale residence in Islamabad in July 2021
- Investigating officer says no evidence that Jaffer killed her except for the forensics
Pakistan raises fuel prices by Rs55 per liter as Middle East conflict drives oil surge
- Government says adequate fuel stocks in place despite global energy shock
- Oil prices jump from about $78 to over $106 per barrel amid regional conflict
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 ($0.20) per liter each as escalating conflict in the Middle East sent global oil prices sharply higher and disrupted energy supply routes, officials said.
Global oil markets have been rattled since coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran began last week, triggering retaliatory attacks across the region, raising fears of disruption to key energy shipping routes and pushing petroleum prices sharply upward.
The price adjustment in Pakistan was announced after a joint press conference by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, who said the government was monitoring international energy markets and domestic supply conditions amid the crisis.
“So, the decision we have made by changing the levy a little bit is that we are going ahead with increasing the price of both fuels, petrol and diesel, by Rs55 ($0.20),” Malik told reporters.
“And as soon as this matter settles, we will revise the prices downward with the same speed and take steps on how to increase people’s income and purchasing power.”
He said Pakistan entered the crisis with “comfortable energy reserves” due to earlier planning but rising global prices had forced the government to adjust domestic fuel rates to maintain supply continuity.
He said international petrol prices had climbed from roughly $78 per barrel on March 1 to around $106.8 per barrel, while diesel prices had risen to about $150 per barrel.
Malik added that the government had taken steps to minimize the burden on consumers, noting diesel plays a critical role in agriculture, transportation and public mobility.
Malik also warned that authorities would take strict action against anyone attempting to hoard fuel or manipulate supply for profiteering.
The minister said Pakistan was working with international partners to secure additional energy supplies, including arrangements with Saudi Aramco and the use of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation vessels to transport crude oil imports.
Finance Minister Aurangzeb said a high-level government committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been meeting daily to review developments in global petroleum markets and their potential impact on Pakistan’s economy.
“Pakistan currently maintains adequate energy stocks and macroeconomic stability,” Aurangzeb said, adding that the government’s response was based on preparedness rather than panic.
He said the committee, which includes senior ministers, the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan and other officials, was assessing short-, medium- and long-term implications of the crisis for inflation, foreign exchange reserves and broader economic indicators.
Deputy PM Dar said the regional conflict had significantly disrupted global energy markets, with international petroleum prices rising by as much as 50–70 percent in recent days.
The deputy prime minister added that Pakistan was also engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions and restoring stability in the region.
Petroleum prices will now be reviewed more frequently, potentially on a weekly basis, and any reduction in global oil prices would be passed on to consumers.
Pakistan, which relies heavily on imported fuel to meet its energy needs, is particularly vulnerable to global oil price shocks that can quickly feed into inflation and pressure the country’s external accounts.
