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Crime & Justice • Murder case

Zahir Jaffer

Zahir Jaffer is a Pakistani-American man convicted in the murder of Noor Mukadam, the daughter of a former Pakistani diplomat.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Zahir Jaffer is a Pakistani-American man convicted in the murder of Noor Mukadam, the daughter of a former Pakistani diplomat. He was arrested at the scene in Islamabad in July 2021 and later sentenced to death for murder, with additional imprisonment for rape. Pakistan’s Supreme Court upheld key parts of his conviction in May 2025.

Background

Zahir Jaffer is a Pakistani-American man from a prominent business family. Public reporting identified him as the accused and later convicted killer in the Noor Mukadam case.

Noor Mukadam murder case

The case centered on the killing of Noor Mukadam in Islamabad in July 2021. She was 27 years old and the daughter of former diplomat Shaukat Mukadam.

Trial and conviction

Jaffer was convicted by an Islamabad court in February 2022 and sentenced to death for murder, with an additional sentence for rape.

Appeals and later proceedings

In May 2025, the Supreme Court of Pakistan dismissed Jaffer’s appeal and upheld key parts of the conviction.

Key facts

  • Zahir Jaffer was convicted in February 2022 for the murder of Noor Mukadam in Islamabad.
  • He was sentenced to death for murder and 25 years’ imprisonment for rape.
  • The victim was Noor Mukadam, the 27-year-old daughter of a former Pakistani diplomat.
  • Pakistan’s Supreme Court dismissed Jaffer’s appeal and upheld his conviction in May 2025.
  • The case drew widespread public attention in Pakistan due to its brutality and concerns about violence against women.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Zahir Jaffer?
Zahir Jaffer is a Pakistani-American man convicted in the murder of Noor Mukadam in Islamabad.
What did Zahir Jaffer do?
He was convicted of murdering Noor Mukadam and was also sentenced for rape in the same case.
When was Zahir Jaffer arrested?
He was arrested at the scene on 20 July 2021, the day Noor Mukadam was killed.
What happened to Zahir Jaffer?
He was tried, convicted in February 2022, and sentenced to death for murder with an additional prison term for rape. His appeal was later dismissed by Pakistan’s Supreme Court in May 2025.
Where is Zahir Jaffer now?
Available reports say he remains in custody in Pakistan while his conviction has been upheld on appeal.
Who was the victim in the Zahir Jaffer case?
The victim was Noor Mukadam, a 27-year-old daughter of former Pakistani diplomat Shaukat Mukadam.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Noor_Mukadam
    Supports: Arrest at scene, conviction, death sentence, rape sentence, and 2025 Supreme Court appeal outcome
  2. CNN — https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/24/asia/noor-mukadam-verdict-pakistan-intl-hnk
    Supports: Identity, dual citizenship, arrest at the scene, charges, and death sentence
  3. NDTV — https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/pak-industrialists-son-zahir-jaffer-sentenced-to-death-for-beheading-ex-diplomats-daughter-noor-mukadam-2787629
    Supports: Conviction, sentence, victim identity, and case background
  4. The Independent — https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/zahir-jaffer-death-sentence-noor-muqaddam-b2023497.html
    Supports: Death sentence, arrest details, and additional prison term
  5. Arab News — https://www.arabnews.com/node/2021571/%7B%7B
    Supports: Arrest from the crime scene and custody status
  6. The Express Tribune — https://tribune.com.pk/story/2321549/noor-mukadam-murder-case-a-timeline
    Supports: Timeline, arrest from the scene, and case background