Justice Ali Baqar Najafi has released an additional seven-page note in the Supreme Court’s judgment upholding the death sentence of Zahir Jaffer, issuing a pointed warning about the rising trend of live-in relationships. The concurring note, made public on Wednesday, expands on his agreement with the majority verdict and offers further reasoning on the social and religious implications linked to the case.

Justice Najafi wrote that live-in arrangements pose clear dangers to society and run contrary to Islamic values. He stressed that the Noor Mukaddam case stands as a painful reminder for the youth to understand the consequences that can stem from relationships outside the bounds of lawful marriage. According to him, such arrangements create situations of vulnerability and moral decline, ultimately harming both individuals and society at large.

The Supreme Court had earlier upheld the death sentence awarded to Zahir Jaffer for the murder of 27-year-old Noor Mukaddam, while reducing the death penalty on the rape charge to life imprisonment. The bench also brought his kidnapping sentence down to one year and maintained the order requiring compensation to Noor’s family. However, the court directed the release of co-accused Jan Mohammad and Iftikhar, previously convicted for aiding the crime.

Despite the verdict, Zahir Jaffer has now filed a review petition challenging the Supreme Court’s decision. His legal team argues that the court did not adequately examine his mental health and ignored a pending request for the formation of a medical board. The petition also criticises the reliance on video evidence which, according to the defence, was neither provided nor screened during trial proceedings.

The defense maintains that the judgment was delivered without fully resolving key questions of procedural fairness. Jaffer’s lawyers insist that the case requires fresh scrutiny given the severity of the sentence and the issues raised in the review plea.

The broader case, which began after Noor Mukaddam was brutally murdered in Islamabad on July 20, 2021, continues to draw intense public attention. Noor, the daughter of former diplomat Shaukat Mukadam, was held captive for hours and later killed inside Zahir Jaffer’s residence. The crime shocked the nation and became one of Pakistan’s most high-profile murder trials, prompting debates over accountability, gender-based violence and societal decay.

Justice Najafi’s additional note adds a new dimension to the case by framing it not only as a criminal matter but also as a cautionary message on broader social conduct.