The fathers of Noor Mukadam and Sarah Inam, Shaukat Mukadam and Inam-ur-Rahim, have made an impassioned plea to the Supreme Court of Pakistan to expedite the trials of their daughters’ murderers and ensure timely justice for the innocent victims.
In a press conference held in Islamabad on Sunday, former ambassador Shaukat Mukadam expressed the deep pain and anguish he and his wife endured when their daughter, Sarah Inam, was brutally murdered. He highlighted that they had initially sought justice through the courts, but the legal process had been protracted.
“We understood the agony that these families were going through. We approached the courts seeking justice, believing it would be a straightforward case,” said Noor’s father.
Despite the perpetrator of his daughter’s murder being sentenced to death in February of the previous year, the case was subsequently brought before the Islamabad High Court (IHC). IHC Chief Justice Amir Farooq reaffirmed the death sentence, leaving Noor’s killer, Zahir Jaffer, facing capital punishment twice.
“Now my daughter’s case is pending in the Supreme Court. We humbly request the Supreme Court to expedite the hearing of this case,” Shaukat Mukadam pleaded.
Emphasizing the vital need for a clear message upholding the rule of law, Noor’s father stressed that prolonged trials could erode public trust in the justice system.
Sarah Inam’s father echoed this sentiment, acknowledging that it had been a year since his daughter’s tragic murder. He described his daughter as an innocent and straightforward individual who took things at face value.
Inam-ur-Rahim also shed light on the behavior of Shahnawaz, the accused in Sarah’s murder case, alleging that Shahnawaz had attempted to extort money from his daughter.
Expressing gratitude to the police for their support throughout the case, Sarah’s father lamented the efforts made by opposing counsel to prolong the trial, which often resulted in witnesses appearing in court while the opposing counsel remained absent.
“We respectfully request the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Qazi Faez Isa, to take up our case. The state should become a party to prosecute the murderer. Instead of parents, the government should take the lead,” he urged.
Background:
Noor Mukadam, aged 27, was tragically found dead at the residence of the prime suspect, Zahir Jaffer, in Islamabad’s Sector F-7/4 on July 20, 2021. Jaffer was promptly arrested on the same day with incriminating evidence, including the murder weapon and bloodstained clothing.
Earlier this year, the Islamabad High Court upheld the death sentence handed down to Jaffer for the rape and murder of Noor. He had previously received a 25-year imprisonment sentence and a fine for the rape conviction.
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Sarah Inam, a 37-year-old Canadian national and accomplished economist, was murdered by her husband Shahnawaz Amir in September 2022. Following her murder, an additional clause related to abetment was added to the police report at the request of Sarah’s uncles, Colonel (retd) Ikram and Zia-ur-Rahim, who alleged involvement of Ayaz Amir and his former wife in their niece’s murder. An Islamabad district and sessions court indicted Amir and his mother, Sameena Shah, in December of the previous year.
