The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued a detailed judgment in the review petition filed against the death sentence awarded to Zahir Zakir Jaffer, the main convict in the murder case of 27-year-old Pakistani-Jordanian woman Noor Mukadam.

A three-member Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar, Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim dismissed Zahir Jaffer’s review petition on June 4, 2026. The decision upheld the judgment of the lower judiciary in the high-profile case.

The 12-page detailed judgment was authored by Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim. The ruling has placed particular emphasis on the responsibility of the state to protect women’s rights and ensure effective legal safeguards against violence.

The Noor Mukadam case has remained one of Pakistan’s most closely followed criminal cases and has drawn widespread attention to issues surrounding violence against women, accountability and the enforcement of criminal law.

The Supreme Court’s decision means the death sentence awarded to Zahir Jaffer remains upheld following the dismissal of his review petition. The ruling provides further judicial reasoning behind the court’s decision in the case.

The judgment also highlights the broader constitutional and legal responsibility of the state to safeguard women. Protection from violence and access to justice are central to ensuring that women can exercise their rights without fear or discrimination.

The court’s observations are significant beyond the individual case because they reinforce the principle that protecting women’s rights cannot depend solely on private or individual efforts. State institutions have a responsibility to provide effective legal protection and respond appropriately when women face violence.

The ruling comes after years of legal proceedings following Noor Mukadam’s murder. Her death generated widespread public concern and renewed discussions about violence against women and the need for stronger enforcement of laws designed to protect vulnerable citizens.

The Supreme Court’s dismissal of the review petition represents another important stage in the judicial process. By upholding the lower courts’ decision, the apex court has maintained the sentence imposed on the main convict.

The detailed judgment is also expected to remain relevant in discussions about women’s protection, criminal justice and the responsibilities of state institutions. Its observations could contribute to broader legal and public debates about how effectively women’s rights are protected in Pakistan.

For families seeking justice in cases involving violence against women, judicial accountability remains an important part of the legal system. The Supreme Court’s ruling reinforces the importance of due process while emphasizing the state’s duty to protect fundamental rights.

The decision has therefore significance beyond the Noor Mukadam case itself. It underlines the principle that safeguarding women from violence and protecting their legal rights are responsibilities that state institutions must take seriously.