Judge Links Noor Mukadam's Murder to Rise of Live-In Relationships

Islamabad, Pakistan – In a significant statement, a senior judge has attributed the murder of Noor Mukadam, daughter of a former diplomat, to the increasing prevalence of “live-in relationships” in the nation. Justice Ali Baqar Najafi of the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) remarked that these relationships frequently disregard societal expectations, which can lead to dire outcomes.

Noor Mukadam, aged 27, was tragically discovered murdered in the home of Zahir Zakir Jaffer on July 20, 2021. The incident sent shockwaves throughout the country and gained considerable media attention. Following the crime, Jaffer and two members of his household staff were apprehended.

In 2022, Jaffer received a death sentence from an Islamabad trial court for the murder along with an additional 25 years for rape. His accomplices, Mohammad Iftikhar and Jan Mohammad, were each sentenced to a decade behind bars. The Supreme Court upheld Jaffer’s death sentence.

Justice Najafi, recently serving on the FCC following the 27th Constitutional Amendment, commented during discussions of Jaffer’s case, asserting that the murder underscores the risks associated with neglecting societal and legal duties. He pointed out that “live-in relationships” are contrary to both civil law and Sharia personal law, noting that such arrangements have played a part in the crime.

The murder occurred in Islamabad’s affluent Sector F-7/4 and has become a critical case in dialogues regarding social norms, law enforcement, and personal ethics in Pakistan.

The judge’s comments have ignited discussions nationwide, focusing on the legal and moral ramifications of live-in relationships, particularly in conservative communities.