Pakistan: a wealthy heir sentenced to death for the murder of his partner

The Noor affair, which dates back to last July, had deeply shocked the country and vigils across the country had been organized to demand justice for Noor Mukadam.

Here on September 22, 2021 in Islamabad.

AFP - AAMIR QURESHI

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

In Pakistan, the verdict has fallen in the Noor case, named after a young woman raped and then brutally murdered by her companion Zahir Jaffer in Islamabad.

The accused received the death penalty. 

Advertising

Read more

With our correspondent in Islamabad

,

Sonia Ghezali

The case of Noor Mukadam, daughter of a former ambassador, whose companion also comes from the Pakistani elite, was publicized and judged in just a few months.

A rare fact in Pakistan where the judicial system is very slow, especially in cases of domestic violence.

" 

I am satisfied that justice has been done

 ," said Shuakat Mukadam, Noor Mukadam's father.

The 27-year-old woman was raped and then beheaded by her boyfriend last July after she refused to marry him.

She had tried to flee, but two of her companion's domestic workers stopped her.

These two men were sentenced to 10 years in prison for complicity in murder.

Violence against women, a scourge in Pakistan 

The case of Noor Mukadam is far from being a rare case in Pakistan.

This is only the tip of the iceberg, says Pakistani sociologist Nida Kirmani.

“ 

Pakistan has a lot to do to change things on this subject.

And I think the verdict against Zahir Jaffer for example, although it is harsh because he was sentenced to death, well it will not change the structural reasons why violence against women is so important in Pakistan.

And this is linked to the high level of patriarchy in the country and the need to change this culture as a whole

.

»

Violence against women is a scourge in the country where 28% of Pakistani women over the age of 15 say they have suffered physical violence from their partner at least once in their life.

A figure surely below reality, because most cases are not reported.

► 

Also to listen: In Pakistan, for women "a safe place to exchange, discuss taboo subjects, and support each other"

Newsletter

Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_EN

  • Pakistan

  • Womens rights

  • Society

  • Justice