-Court sanctions two-day physical remand
-Ministry in process of puting killer’s name on ECL
-Probe team contacting UK, US for killer’s criminal record
By Uzma Zafar
ISLAMABAD: A local court in Islamabad remanded the parents of the suspect in Noor Muqaddam murder case, along with two of their employees, for two days, on Sunday. The judgement came after Zahir Jaffer’s father, Zakir Jaffer, and mother, Ismat Adamjee, were produced before the court of duty magistrate Shehzad Khan. In addition, two of the accused’s domestic aides, Iftikhar and Jamil, were also sent on the two-day physical remand.
During the hearing, Noor Muqqadam’s lawyer argued that the judicial system was not followed, requesting the court to place the suspect’s parents on physical remand. “If the co-counsel is not protecting the accused, then let the parents of the accused be kept in custody for interrogation,†the lawyer maintained. The court reserved its decision upon completion of the counsel’s arguments. Following the hearing, the investigation officer (IO) stated that the judge had not given a complete order yet. “The parents were arrested because they failed to submit the surety bonds,†the IO added.
Speaking to the media for the first time since the gruesome murder, the suspect’s father said that his family had close ties with the family of Shaukat Ali Muqqadam, Noor’s father and former diplomat. He added that he was sympathetic with the victim’s father and also “wanted justice to be served in this case”.
Earlier yesterday, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat informed that the suspect’s parents had been arrested, while orders to seal the company where the accused worked as a therapist had also been issued. “Sealing orders of Therapyworks issued. Parents of Murderer Zahir Jaffar also arrested,” Shafqaat said on Twitter. A day earlier, a local court in Islamabad had extended the physical remand of accused Zahir Zamir Jaffer for two days. Police produced the suspect before the court of Duty Magistrate Sohaib Bilal Ranjha after completion of his three-day physical remand.
During the hearing, the police officials informed the court that they have recovered a dagger, a pistol and an iron machete from Zahir. They sought an extension in the physical remand of the suspect for another two weeks to recover his mobile phone. However, the court only extended the physical remand of the suspect for two days and directed the police to produce him before the court on Monday. A murder case of Noor Muqqadam, the daughter of former diplomat Shaukat Ali Muqqadam, has been registered at the Kohsar Police Station and the deceased father is the plaintiff.
While talking to the media after the court hearing, the father of the slain girl categorically said that they were not ready for a compromise and his only aim was to get the suspect punished. He said that the suspect’s family has not contacted him and neither was he in a mental state to discuss the matter. However, he reiterated that the family would not compromise on the murder, as his daughter had been killed mercilessly and unjustly. The former diplomat said there was no room for an apology in the case and the family has decided to bring the case to a logical conclusion.
Meanwhile, Islamabad Chief Commissioner Amir Ali Ahmad, on the recommendation of the federal police, asked the interior ministry to place the name of the suspect on the Exit Control List (ECL). Twenty-six-year-old Noor, daughter of the former ambassador to South Korea, was killed allegedly by Zahir Zamir Jaffer, son of Zakir Jaffer, whose family was the ex-diplomat’s acquaintances.
Sources said that the Interior Ministry will add the name to the ECL after approval by the federal cabinet. Police sources also said that an investigation team will contact the US and UK, where the suspect had resided, through the Foreign Ministry to find out if he had a criminal record. Earlier, the SSP Investigation, the head of the team, said the statements of the victim’s parents, the suspect’s father and two security guards had been recorded. The Interior Ministry has been asked to place the name of the suspect in the murder of former Pakistani envoy’s daughter Noor Muqaddam on the Exit Control List (ECL).
On Tuesday, 26-year-old Noor, daughter of the former ambassador to South Korea, was killed in Islamabad allegedly by Zahir Zamir Jaffer, son of Zakir Jaffer, whose family was the ex-diplomat’s acquaintances. The ministry will add the name to the ECL after approval by the federal cabinet.
The summary to the ministry has been sent by Islamabad Chief Commissioner Amir Ali Ahmad on the recommendation of the federal police. An investigation team will contact the US and the UK, where the suspect had resided, through the foreign ministry to find out if he had a criminal record. IGP Islamabad Qazi Jameel-ur-Rehman on Friday held a meeting with the investigation team of the case at the central police office. Briefing the Islamabad police chief on the case, the SSP investigation – the head of the team — said the statements of the victim’s parents, the suspect’s father and two security guards had been recorded.
The forensic team had also gathered all the evidence on the scene while further investigation was under way to bring the case to its logical conclusion, he added.
The IGP instructed the SSP to contact the relevant agencies to include the name of the suspect in the ECL. Read ‘No place for violence against women in our society, lives, religion or culture’
He also directed the official to obtain criminal records, if any, of the suspect from the UK and US. Expressing satisfaction over the investigation, the police chief said while fulfilling the requirements of justice, no pressure should be taken or favour entertained so that the culprit could be punished severely.
The Kohisar police have received the initial autopsy report that revealed several marks of torture on the body, particularly deep wounds on the knee. The material taken from the stomach has been sent to a laboratory, after which the final report will be prepared. The victim’s head was severed from her body. Noor’s father had told the police in his statement that his daughter was killed with a sharp object. There was also the possibility of sexual abuse, he added.
