Tag: islamabad

  • ‘I don’t know how to live without you’: Noor Mukadam’s sister remembers her ‘Noorah’

    Noor Mukadam’s sister Sara Mukadam has penned down a heartfelt for her sister on the social media site, Instagram, talking about her sister, who was brutally murdered in Islamabad on July 20.

    “Noorah! I miss you so much! I don’t know how to live a life without you. I miss you every breathing moment. We had made so many plans for your birthday this year,” wrote Noor’s sister while sharing a picture of herself with Noor.

    “Noorah! I miss you so much! World is not the same without your Noor. We can never celebrate another birthday, another Eid, or lead normal lives,” she added more.

    Read more- Noor Mukadam Case Timeline

    May Allah bless you with the highest ranks in Jannat ul Firdous and may we all get reunited again as a family in Jannah.”

    “Noor, you will get justice. In Shaa Allah. The world is behind you,” she concluded.

    Noor Mukadam is the daughter of a former Pakistani diplomat. She found murdered at a residence in the capital’s upscale Sector F-7/4 and the alleged murderer, Zahir Jaffar was arrested for the murder.

  • Covid-19: New lockdown restrictions in Islamabad

    Amid the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in the country, new lockdown orders have been announced for Islamabad. As per the notification, the following restrictions have been imposed:

    • Cinemas closed
    • Shrines closed
    • Transport 50%
    • Offices 50%
    • Saturday and Sunday full lockdown
    • All indoor functions/weddings banned
    • Time for markets 8pm
    • Contact sports , pools, parks closed
    • Masks compulsory
    • Gyms allowed for vaccinated individuals only

    The new Covid-19 restrictions were imposed on August 3 and will remain in place till August 31.

    As per the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), Pakistan has recorded 4,722 new cases of Covid-19 with the positivity rate of 8.22 per cent.

  • Case registered against couple for photo shoot in front of Quaid’s portrait

    Islamabad Police registered a case against a couple for a photo shoot in front of Quaid-e-Azam’s portrait in Islamabad under Section 294 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), reported ARY News.

    The case has been registered on the complaint of Rashid Malik. In the complaint, Rashid Malik says that the pictures have been taken in revealing dresses in front of the portrait of the country’s founder Quaid-e-Azam, which has hurt our sentiments, and requested authorities to take action against the involved people. Koral Police station registered the case and started an inquiry.

    Earlier, senior journalist Ansar Abbasi took to Twitter and requested Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqat to arrest the models who posed in front of Quaid’s portrait.

  • Delivery boy gang rape case: Islamabad high court dismisses bail plea

    Delivery boy gang rape case: Islamabad high court dismisses bail plea

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday dismissed the bail plea of prime suspect, Ibrahim Khan, in the alleged gang rape of a food delivery boy at Islamabad’s International Islamic University on June 18 2021.

    After the court rejected Khan’s bail plea, he was arrested outside of the court.

    In June of this year, a food delivery boy was gang raped by students at the International Islamic University. According to details, the rape victim was a 22-year-old student at Quaid-e-Azam University and was delivering food to make ends meet.

    The delivery boy delivered food to the hostel on Friday night. When he came out of the room, he fell to the floor and was moved to the hospital by the guards at the hostel.

    Two students were expelled, Ibrahim Khan and Mehmood Ashraf, and Ibrahim Khan’s bail plea was dismissed by the court.


  • Ansar Abbasi wants Islamabad police to arrest a couple for a photoshoot

    Journalist Ansar Abbasi has requested Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqat to arrest two models who posed in front of Quaid’s portrait on Expressway Islamabad, Propergaanda reports.

    “The DC Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat is requested to arrest the couple, who displayed extreme obscenity in public in the federal capital,” wrote Ansar tagging DC Islamabad to which Ansar replied, “Anyone with any information may please share with us.”

    Talking to The Current, lawyer and noted commentator Reema Omar said that if the police or Ansar Abbasi want to push a case against the two, they could use one Pakistani law, “There is an old provision in the penal code, which has been there from colonial times, that criminalises obscenity in public places (section 294). It is very vague and has overboard provisions.”

    “It is unclear if the law has been used before or how the courts have interpreted obscenity.”

  • Flags of Afghanistan, Taliban raised in Islamabad

    Flags of Afghanistan, Taliban raised in Islamabad

    Security agencies were put on alert on Sunday after police learned that a group of individuals were flying Afghanistan’s national flag as well as that of the Taliban at Islamabad’s Lake View Park, reports Dawn.

    A group of 20 to 25 young men holding the two flags were seen taking photographs at the park in the evening.

    A police party rushed to the place and questioned the individuals, but did not register any case against them.

    A police officer said since waving a flag of any country was not a crime, police did not take any action.

  • ‘In grief’, Parents of Zahir Jaffer publish message for Noor

    Parents of alleged murderer, Zahir Jaffer, Asmat and Zakir Jaffer have published a public message of grief in a local newspaper and lending their support to Noor’s family. However, the notice does not mention their son, who is the alleged killer of Noor Mukadam.

    “We are devastated and grief-stricken at the brutal murder of Noor Mukadam, daughter of H.E. and Begum Shaukat Ali Mukaddam,” reads the message.

    “We strongly condemn this unimaginably heinous act. There are no words that could comfort Noor’s family and loved ones at this difficult time. As parents, we cannot begin to imagine the pain that her family is going through. We stand unreservedly by Noor’s family and are committed to ensuring that the law takes its natural course and that justice is served.

    Earlier, a statement was issued by the Jaffer family, which condemned the act of Zahir Jaffer.
    “Our shock and grief at this horrific act has led to a prolonged silence that we very much regret. However, we categorically condemn this atrocity and forever denounce Zahir and his actions,” read the statement. However, the statement reads, ‘Jaffer family’ and does not name Zahir’s parents in the statement.

    Islamabad police, arrested Zahir Jaffer, Zaqir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee for hiding evidence and abetting the murder. The court gave the police a two-day remand for the parents of Zahir Jaffer and they are to remain in police custody

  • Noor’s friends start GoFundMe campaign for a strong legal team

    Noor’s friends start GoFundMe campaign for a strong legal team

    Social media is enraged after the brutal murder of Noor Mukadam in Islamabad. Amid all the different stories done by various news outlets, what people want right now is that the authorities punish her murderer, Zahir Jaffer.

    Noor’s friends and friends of her family have started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to hire a strong legal team to bring Noor’s killer to justice.

    “As friends of Noor and friends of her family, we cannot watch her life flicker out without getting justice. Zahir Jaffer comes from an extremely well-connected and wealthy family. He and his parents have already secured legal representation from the best lawyers in the city, and they have the resources to fight this battle endlessly,” GoFundMe campaign for Noor stated

    “We, as friends of Noor, are launching this campaign so that as her family grieves their beautiful daughter, they do not have to carry the additional burden of worrying about how they will afford the legal representation they need for bringing Noor’s killer to justice,” it added.

    The money raised through this campaign will be used to fight Noor’s case. “Going by past experience, this will likely be a lengthy process, spread over multiple stages of litigation. Our total has been calculated to account for all of this, and all proceeds raised through this platform will be used to directly fight Noor’s case.”

    The campaign aims to use the remaining funds (if any) for the victims of domestic violence. “In the event that any funds remain, they will be directed to aid victims of domestic violence.”

    You can donate here: https://gofund.me/e18511f7

  • Noor murder case timeline: Different media reports state different stories

    Noor murder case timeline: Different media reports state different stories

    Over the last few days, the news has been inundated with the different versions and revelations in relation to the murder of Noor Mukadam.

    Here’s a list of the different versions of the same story.

    1.Zahir Jaffer’s confession:

    Reportedly, Zahir Jaffer has confessed to the murder of Noor Mukadam. Police also gathered video evidence of Noor being tortured by Zahir.

     The accused made the confession during interrogation but has not given a reason for murdering Noor. Dawn, The Express Tribune, ARY News, Dunya have reported that Zahir Jaffer, the prime suspect in the murder of Noor, confessed to killing her before the investigators during his interrogation. Sources said the prime suspect has repeatedly changed his reasoning for committing the brutal crime.

    However, Geo News and Samaa have not reported on the confession yet.

    2.CCTV footage of the incident:

    All news outlets have confirmed that the Islamabad police have also found video evidence of him torturing Noor on his mobile phone, as well as CCTV footage of the incident.

    3.Noor seeking driver’s help:

    Only two media organisations reported the story of Noor seeking help from her driver while being held as a hostage at Zahir Jaffer’s house.

    Noor Mukadam asked her driver to arrange Rs700,000 and bring it to the house of Zahir Jaffer, the main accused in her murder, Noor’s driver told Geo News.

    The Express Tribune reported, the victim’s family reportedly informed the investigation team that Noor had instructed her driver to bring Rs700,000 to the accused’s house. However, the investigation team said no money has been recovered yet. A senior police officer added that there was no confirmation of the money being withdrawn from the victim’s account, from her home, or from any other relatives. However, Geo news says that the driver collected three lakh rupees from his own resources, friends, and acquaintances.

    No other major news outlet has run this story.

    4.Crime Scene:

    All major news outlets reported that a guard at the house of Zahir Jaffer saw Noor Mukadam trying to escape as she jumped off the balcony. When she jumped off the balcony, she landed on the Air Conditioner Unit ( Condenser). Zahir too jumped off from the balcony and grabbed her. The guard tried to help her but Zahir grabbed her by her hair and took her back into her room and locked the door.

    BBC Urdu reported that Noor jumped out of the ‘Roshandan‘ [a small window].

    BBC Urdu, Dawn, and The Express Tribune added that Noor hid in the guard’s room after finding the gate locked, adding that later the accused broke into the room and dragged her back into the house.

    Geo News did not report Noor hiding in the guard’s room.

    5.Presence of friends:

    Editor of The Nation Salman Masood, mentioned that Zahir brutally killed Noor and chopped off her head from the body while the Therapy Works team and a group of mutual friends tried to enter his room.

    Dawn reported that the SSP Rehman further said her [Noor’s] friends reached the house of the accused, but he refused to let them enter, adding that he remained on the balcony, brandishing weapons and hurling abuses at them. One of the friends informed the girl’s father while another friend called the police.

    However, as per Geo News,  a neighbour had gone to the Kohsar Police station to inform them and not a friend. By the time the police reached, the team of Therapy Works had tied up Zahir.

    6. When did Noor go to Zahir’s house:

    Editor of The Nation Salman Masood and Geo News reported that Noor was detained for two days at Zahir’s house.

    Other media outlets have not reported the duration of stay.

    7. Reason for murder:

    The reason for murder has yet not been confirmed.

    However, Geo News reported that Zahir called his parents before the murder and told them that Noor has refused to marry him.

    Meanwhile, ARY News reported that allegedly Zahir in his statement said that he killed Noor for cheating on him

    Recent update on #JusticeForNoor case:

    The parents of Zahir Zakir Jaffer — a key suspect in Noor Mukadam’s murder — on Tuesday moved a bail petition in a district and sessions court in Islamabad against their detention. Admitting the petition, the court issued a notice to the police and set July 30 as the date for the hearing.

  • CEO Therapy Works Tahir Zahoor Ahmed lies about Zahir Jaffer not being organisation’s practicing therapist

    CEO Therapy Works Tahir Zahoor Ahmed lies about Zahir Jaffer not being organisation’s practicing therapist

    The confusion is real. Was Zahir Jaffer taking clients and was a practicing therapist at the organisation Therapy Works? In a social media post, the organisation stated, “He [Zahir Jaffer] did not complete his coursework and International Essays, and accordingly was never ever given permission to see clients. This is borne out by our list of authorised therapists in which his name has never been included.”

    On Geo News programme, ‘Aaj Shahzeb Kahnzada Kay Sath’, Journalist Shahzeb Khanzada revealed that Zahir Jaffer was giving therapy sessions to children at Beaconhouse’s Rawalpindi branch.

    According to leaked audio of Therapy Works CEO Tahir Ahmed Zahoor, Zahir Jaffer along with Dr Umber Zaidi ( an authorised counsellor of Therapy Works, as listed on their website) had visited Beaconhouse to give a counselling session to students, on how to cope up with the increasing pressure in education. Khanzada shows leaked audio and video of Tahir Ahmed Zahoor saying that he was not responsible for Zahir going to Beaconhouse since Zahir went on his own. Khanzada aired a clarification from Beaconhouse, in which the school states that they had reached out to TherapyWorks for their counsellors to come to the school sessions and Zahir had been sent by the organisation.

    It was further revealed that Dr Umber and Zahir were affiliated with the Therapy Works and that they both shared their credentials with the school principal on arrival.

    The official Beaconhouse statement reads:

    “In Jan 2019, A teacher of Beaconhouse Senior Boys Branch, Satellite Town, Rawalpindi was enrolled in a course at TherapyWorks. She asked her teacher, Dr Umber Zaidi (an authorised counsellor of TherapyWorks as listed on Therpary Works website) to visit the school as a guest speaker and talk to students about coping with study pressures. Dr Umber Zaidi brought Zahir to the school with her. Both shared their TherapyWorks credentials with the school head before the session with Students and Teachers. At no point were the students left unsupervised.

    In short, Beaconhouse did not invite Zahir. It was Dr Umber Zaidi’s decision to bring him along. Since she is an authorised counsellor of TherapyWorks, the school did not question her decision. It is pertinent to note that the session took place in Jan 2019″.

    During the show, Shahzeb Khanzada exposed other contradictions that CEO Tahir Ahmed had been stating as the truth. Khanzada reported that Tahir knew about Zahir’s mental health and let him become a therapist and take on clients anyway.

    In the leaked audio, Tahir Ahmed says that it was only after June 2021 that Zahir’s parents contacted him and asked him to help their son [Zahir].

    “He is seriously ill, he will do something,” Tahir Ahmed to Zahir’s parents.

    However, Zahir’s father ignored Tahir’s warnings.

    Dr Imtiaz Dogar, President Pakistan Psychiatric Society, a guest on the show said, “The murder of Noor Mukadam is not a psychological but a criminal matter.”