ISLAMABAD: A sessions court in Islamabad on Tuesday reserved its verdict in the Noor Mukadam murder case after all sides concluded their arguments, bringing to a close hearings that have gripped the nation and a trial that is one of the most-closely watched in recent Pakistani history.
The trial for the case formally started at Islamabad’s district court in October last year, with additional sessions judge Atta Rabbani conducting hearings. The judge reserved his verdict on Tuesday after the completion of arguments by both the defense and prosecution attorneys, saying he would announce it on February 24, Thursday.
Mukadam, the daughter of a former Pakistani diplomat, was found beheaded in Islamabad’s upscale F-7/4 neighborhood in July last year. The murder sparked public outrage and grabbed media attention unlike any other recent crime against women. The key suspect in the murder, Zahir Jaffer, was arrested from the crime scene, his residence, on the day of the murder. He was indicted last October.
Others charged in the case include Jaffer’s parents, Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee, their three household staff, Iftikhar, Jan Muhammad and Jameel, and six employees of Therapy Works, a counseling center from where Jaffer had received certification to become a therapist and where he had been receiving treatment in the weeks leading up to the murder. The charges range from abetment to concealment of evidence.
At Tuesday’s hearing, Public Prosecutor Hassan Abbas said Jaffer’s arrest from the crime scene was enough for his conviction.
“This is a clear case,” he told the court. “[Noor’s] Bloodstains were found on the suspect’s clothes and body.”
The prosecutor said forensic reports also proved Mukadam was tortured before the murder and she could be seen in CCTV footage being dragged by Jaffer back into the house as she tried to escape.
Abbas said Zahir called his father on 7:29pm to inform him about the murder, and after that the suspects established contact with Therapy Works.
The prosecutor also raised questions over the presence of Therapy Works staffers at the crime scene, saying police reached the spot while the counselling team was trying to move Zahir after tying him up with rope.
“No drug or poison was detected in the lungs of Noor Mukadam,” he told the court while referring to a forensic report.
At an earlier hearing, Jaffer, who initially confessed to the crime before police and the court, pleaded not guilty to the killing, saying he was innocent and wrongly implicated in the case. His lawyers also told the court that Mukadam had arranged a “drug party” at Jaffer’s residence on July 20 as his parents were away in Karachi, saying Jaffer fell unconscious from “overuse” of drugs and Mukadam was killed by someone else who had attended the party. At another hearing, the defense also asked the court to consider the possibility that Mukadam had been “honor killed” by her brother.
The Mukadam family’s counsel, advocate Shah Khawar, said all evidence including DNA, call data record (CDR), digital video record (DVR) and forensics was collected using scientific methods and pointed toward Jaffer’s guilt.
“The court should grant maximum punishment to all the accused,” he prayed before the court.
Talking to reporters after the conclusion of the trial, Noor Mukadam’s father Shaukat Mukadam, expressed satisfaction over the court proceedings, saying the family had sought “maximum punishment” for all accused in the case.
“We have complete trust in the judge,” he said as he appreciated the court for holding a fair trial. He also expressed satisfaction over the police investigation, saying “the police did a good job within their limitations.”
“It was a difficult time, but I trust my daughter fully,” Shaukat said. “It stands proven now from the CCTV footage and others that she was held hostage and in detention [in Jaffer house].”
Islamabad court to announce verdict in Noor Mukadam murder trial on Thursday
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Islamabad court to announce verdict in Noor Mukadam murder trial on Thursday

- Noor Mukadam was found beheaded in Islamabad last July in a case that has gripped the nation
- The months-long trial was one of the most closely watched in recent Pakistani history
Heavy rains, lightning strikes kill at least six people in Pakistan’s northwest

- A total of seven houses were damaged due to rains, strong winds and flash floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province
- The Pakistan Meteorological Department this week forecast pre-monsoon rains across various parts on June 20-23
ISLAMABAD: Heavy rains and lightning strikes killed at least six people and injured five others in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province this week, the KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Sunday.
A total of seven houses were damaged due to rains, strong winds and flash floods that have lashed the province since June 20, according to a PDMA report. The accidents occurred in Mansehra, Buner, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Malakand and Kohistan districts of the province.
“The deceased include three men, one woman and two children, while the injured include three men and two women,” it said.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) this week forecast pre-monsoon rains in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Punjab and KP from June 20 till June 23.
“The PDMA has already issued a letter to the district administrations to remain alert and take preventive measures,” it added.
Last month, rains and thunderstorms killed at least 26 people in KP and Punjab provinces, authorities said.
Pakistan has seen erratic changes in its weather patterns which have led to frequent heat waves, untimely rains, storms, cyclones and droughts in recent years. Scientists have blamed the events on human-driven climate change.
In 2022, devastating floods, blamed on human-driven climate change, killed more than 1,700 Pakistanis, affected another 33 million and caused the country over $30 billion in economic losses.
Pakistan says US strikes on Iran nuclear sites violate international law, IAEA statute

- Experts warn the latest strikes could have ‘catastrophic’ economic and security implications for Pakistan
- In phone call with Iran president, Pakistan premier offers Islamabad’s support to de-escalate the crisis
ISLAMABAD: The United States (US) airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities violate international law and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) statute, the Pakistan prime minister’s office said on Sunday, as experts warned of their economic and security implications for Islamabad.
The strikes, which targeted three Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz early Sunday, came amid Israel’s ongoing campaign against Iran’s nuclear program, which Israeli officials claim is nearing weaponization, an allegation Iran denies, insisting its activities remain peaceful and under international safeguards.
While the amount of damage remained unclear, the strikes have fueled fears of a wider conflict, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying the US had “crossed a very big red line,” the time for diplomacy was over and Iran had the right to defend itself. US President Donald Trump warned Tehran against retaliation.
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday afternoon and conveyed Pakistan’s condemnation of the US attacks, which targeted Iranian nuclear facilities that were under the safeguards of the IAEA, according to Sharif’s office.
“These attacks constituted a serious violation of international law and the IAEA Statute,” Sharif’s office said. “While noting Iran’s right to self-defense, as enshrined under Article 51 of the UN Charter, the prime minister stressed upon the need to immediately return to dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable path forward.”
Sharif called for urgent collective efforts to de-escalate the situation and reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to play a constructive role in this context, according to his office. President Pezeshkian conveyed his appreciation for Pakistan’s support to Iran.
Pakistan’s foreign office earlier said Islamabad condemned the strikes and was “gravely concerned” at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region.
“Any further escalation of tensions will have severely damaging implications for the region and beyond,” it said, adding that Iran had the right to defend itself under the United Nations (UN) Charter and urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilian lives and “immediately bring the conflict to an end.”
“Recourse to dialogue, diplomacy, in line with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter remain the only viable pathway to resolve the crises in the region.”
Tensions flared on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes against what it described as Iran’s military leadership and nuclear infrastructure. Iran, a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), has since retaliated with missile attacks on Israeli targets. The United States, Israel’s closest ally, has now directly joined the campaign.
Experts have warned that the latest US strikes could have “catastrophic” economic and security implications for Pakistan.
“The economic implications of a wider war would be catastrophic for Pakistan. First and foremost, if the Strait of Hormuz is closed, our major concern will be the import of oil, as most of our oil supplies come from the Middle East,” Shakeel Ramay, a Pakistani economist, told Arab News.
“This would severely impact our economy since a significant portion of our power grid is powered by imported oil and gas from the region. The disruption would affect electricity production and have far-reaching consequences for our transportation network as well. The government will need to manage rising prices in the short term.”
Lt. Gen. (retired) Naeem Lodhi, a former Pakistani defense secretary, said Pakistan had so far acted “wisely” by condemning the attacks on Iran and offering to mediate the crisis.
“At this point, Pakistan needs to remain alert and ensure that it does not get directly involved. It must not allow any country — on either side — to use its soil, airspace, or any other assets,” he told Arab News.
“Although staying completely uninvolved is difficult due to our geographic proximity, it is still the most desirable course of action.”
If the war expanded, Lodhi said, Pakistan would face “serious challenges.”
“Many Pakistanis believe that if Iran is defeated in this war, it could create long-term problems for Pakistan,” he said.
“A new regime in Iran might not be friendly toward Pakistan and could even become hostile, bringing yet another threat to our borders. That is a key concern Pakistan must keep in mind.”
The crisis also raises questions about how Islamabad will navigate its delicate balancing act between Iran, other Gulf partners, and the United States, which remains one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners and a critical source of military and economic assistance.
“Certain demands may be made that Pakistan will find hard to ignore. For instance, if Arab countries become involved — which is likely — there could be strong pressure on Pakistan to support them in some capacity, whether through logistics, access to airspace, or even bases,” Lodhi said.
“While it may be relatively easier to say no to the United States despite its influence, refusing multiple allied Arab countries will be much more difficult. Still, Pakistan’s current leadership, especially the military leadership, is well aware of these dangers and will likely try to keep the country out of the conflict.”
Cherry festival in northern Pakistan draws crowds amid growing exports to China

- Gilgit-Baltistan, which produces 9,000 tons of cherries, exported over a quarter of the crop to China last year
- Agricultural experts say the region’s cold climate is ideal for growing cherries, apricots and apples
SKARDU, Gilgit-Baltistan: As Pakistan begins to export cherries to neighboring China, a colorful one-day festival in Skardu this week drew hundreds of visitors, highlighting the potential of agri-tourism and cherry farming in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region, officials and growers said.
Home to the Khunjerab Pass — the highest paved international border crossing in the world — GB is often described as Pakistan’s gateway to China.
The region’s cold climate is ideal for growing high-quality fruits such as cherries, apricots and apples.
“This is the 5th National Cherry Festival, and we are organizing Agri-Mela as part of the festival,” Zakir Hussain, deputy director at the GB agriculture department, told Arab News on Friday.

“The aim of this festival is to introduce cherry as a cash crop.”
He said the event, organized in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan, aimed to raise awareness about harvesting, marketing and the economic importance of cherries.
According to the GB agriculture department, the region produces 8,000 to 9,000 tons of cherries annually, with dried cherry marketing now also underway.
“Almost 3,000 tons of cherries had been exported to China in 2024,” Hussain said, adding that GB was the leading cherry-producing region in Pakistan.
Local farmers say the festival boosts their income and visibility.

“We have been growing cherries for the last 12 to 13 years and we have 200 to 300 cherry trees in our orchard,” said Skinder Ali, a 40-year-old farmer. “Whenever the festival is held in Gilgit-Baltistan, we participate. And due to this event, we get access to the market at the national level.”
The festival also attracted tourists from other parts of the country.
“We especially came to Skardu to see the cherries, and we are from Islamabad,” Zohra Begum, a 52-year-old visitor, said. “We have been visiting [the stalls] for the last hour... The taste of cherries is very good ... So far we have purchased 10 kilograms. Let’s see how much we purchase later.”
“I am a traveler and biker from Lahore,” said Mohsin Abbas, another tourist. “We were in Shigar last night when we came to know about the festival. So we came here... We have tasted the cherries and they are very delicious.”
Ghulamullah Saqib, an agriculture expert and trainer, said the region’s climate is well suited for cherries, which require 800 to 1,000 chilling hours to bear fruit.
“There are 14 varieties of cherry that are found in Gilgit-Baltistan,” he added.
Pakistan asks distribution companies to ensure uninterrupted power supply to facilitate Muharram gatherings

- Thousands of Pakistanis take part in religious gatherings, processions every year in Muharram
- Energy ministry instructs DISCOs to inspect distribution networks, place teams on high alert
iSLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Energy Ministry on Sunday directed senior officials of distribution companies (DISCOs) to ensure uninterrupted power supply to facilitate religious gatherings next month during Muharram.
Thousands of Pakistanis every year during the Islamic month of Muharram take part in religious gatherings and processions to pay tribute to Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was martyred in the Battle of Karbala.
In its letter, the ministry said Muharram is falling in July when heat waves are expected in many parts of the country.
“It is very much imperative that all necessary measures are taken to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to facilitate these religious gatherings and avoid any inconvenience to the public,” the letter said.
The ministry urged DISCOs to conduct thorough inspections of all transmission and distribution networks, particularly in areas where religious gatherings and processions are expected to take place.
It also directed the companies to deploy dedicated emergency response teams on high alert throughout Muharram, especially on the 9th and 10th of Muharram when the main processions take place, to address any power disruptions immediately.
The ministry instructed DISCOs to communicate with consumers, especially mosques and imambargahs, regarding any scheduled maintenance or potential load management measures to minimize inconvenience.
“Assign duty rosters to ensure 24/7 availability of technical and operational staff during Muharram to respond swiftly to any power-related issues,” the letter read.
“The sanctity of Muharram demands our utmost commitment to serving the public with diligence and respect,” it said. “Any negligence in this regard will be viewed seriously.”
The Energy Ministry directed DISCOs to submit a compliance report to the Power Division regarding the measures taken in this regard.
Thousands of people suffer from power outages, lasting several hours each day, during the summers every year in Pakistan.
Pakistan suffers from an energy crisis that stems largely from a gap in its energy supplies and electricity demand. The cash-strapped country lacks adequate resources to run its oil-and-gas-powered plants and imports most of its energy needs.
India arrests two for harboring Kashmir attackers

- Suspects provided food, shelter, logistical support to “terrorists” who killed tourists in Pahalgam, says Indian agency
- Pahalgam attack led to armed military confrontation between India and Pakistan in May in which over 70 were killed
SRINAGAR, India: New Delhi’s counter-terrorism agency said Sunday it has arrested two men in India-administered Kashmir for allegedly harboring Pakistani gunmen behind a deadly attack on civilians that sparked a days-long conflict between the two countries.
India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) said the two suspects were from the Pahalgam area, where gunmen killed 26 people two months ago.
“The two men had provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists, who had... selectively killed the tourists on the basis of their religious identity,” a statement by NIA said. The majority of those killed were Hindu men.
The agency identified the two men as Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, claiming the duo “have disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack,” and have confirmed they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group.
New Delhi has accused Pakistan of backing the attack without making public any evidence, and Islamabad has denied the charge.
The April 22 killings triggered a series of tit-for-tat diplomatic measures by the nuclear-armed countries and led to intense exchanges of missile, drone and artillery fire.
The four-day conflict left more than 70 people dead on both sides.
Muslim-majority Kashmir has been divided between the South Asian rivals — claimed by both in full — since their independence from British rule in 1947, and the neighbors have fought two wars over its control.
Rebel groups, demanding the divided region’s independence or merger with Pakistan, have waged an insurgency since 1989.