Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Grisly murder of ex-diplomat's daughter sparks outrage over femicides in Pakistan

Grisly murder of ex-diplomat's daughter sparks outrage over femicides in Pakistan

A GRISLY murder in the heart of Islamabad involving families from the privileged elite of Pakistani society has dominated headlines for the past week, stirring national outrage over femicides in the south Asian nation.

Noor Mukadam, 27, the daughter of a former Pakistani diplomat, was found beheaded in a posh neighbourhood of the capital on July 20. Police have charged Zahir Jaffer, a US national and scion of one of Pakistan's wealthiest families, with murder.


Investigators say the two were friends, and Jaffer lured Mukadam, the daughter of Pakistan's former envoy to South Korea, to his home, held her there for two days, and then brutally murdered her.

Hundreds of women are killed in Pakistan annually, and thousands more are victims of brutal violence, but few cases get sustained media attention, and only a small fraction of perpetrators are ever punished.

This killing though, which touched a segment of society that is often thought to be immune to systemic injustice, has sparked a public outcry, unlike any other recent case.

"The status of the families involved, especially the family of Zahir Jaffer, and of course Noor's father being a former ambassador, and this happening within the elite circles of Islamabad...all of that combined definitely has brought more attention to this case," commented Nida Kirmani, associate professor of sociology at the Lahore University of Management Sciences.

Mukadam's murder has become the most keenly reported femicide in recent history. Social media erupted with furious disgust, and there have been protests and vigils in major cities, as well as among the Pakistani diaspora as far away as Canada and the United States.

Facing public anger, the Jaffer family took out full-page advertisements in newspapers distancing themselves from the murder and calling for justice.

Life for women in Pakistan's rural areas is markedly different from that in urban centres, particularly Islamabad, where chic cafes and shopping areas cater to the city's mix of the wealthy intelligentsia, government officials, diplomats, expatriates, and foreign journalists.

For many women in the country's capital, even that semblance of freedom and safety has been shattered.

"I have daughters, too, and I worry day and night if this happens to my own daughter, who will stand with me?" Amna Salman Butt, said at a vigil for Mukadam in Islamabad this week that drew hundreds. "When someone mistreats us, will we have to come up with hashtags too?" she said, referring to the #JusticeForNoor hashtag that has dominated Twitter in Pakistan.

"Every woman I have spoken to after Noor's case speaks about them feeling a heightened sense of fear, from the men around them," said Benazir Shah, a Lahore-based journalist. She said some complain of not being able to sleep at night.

While the daily twists and turns of the trial unfold in the national media gaze, rights groups in Pakistan say lawmakers should pass a landmark bill meant to tackle domestic violence to assuage some anger.

The bill streamlines the process for obtaining restraining orders, and defines violence broadly, to include "emotional, psychological and verbal abuse."

Earlier this month, lawmakers sought the opinion of a council of Islamic scholars on whether the legislation adhered to Islamic principles.

Qibla Ayaz, who heads the council, said they had only informally discussed the bill, but felt its ambiguous language was unacceptable in Pakistan's conservative society.

"Does this mean that a daughter or wife can complain when a father or husband is stopping her from going outside the house? This may not be acceptable to all Pakistanis," he said.

"We all agree on the goal of stopping violence against women...but our sense is this bill might actually cause new social tension and lead to more domestic violence," Ayaz added.

More For You

Southport

Floral tributes left by members of the public are seen following the fatal knife attack on three young girls in July in Southport.

Reuters

Public inquiry begins into Southport girls' murders

A PUBLIC inquiry begins on Tuesday into the murders of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport last year.

The inquiry will examine whether the attack could have been prevented and how future incidents might be avoided.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Starmer is facing a Labour backbench revolt over plans to reform special needs support in schools without guaranteeing existing legal rights. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images)

Starmer faces Labour pushback over SEND reform plans

KEIR STARMER is facing a backlash from Labour MPs over plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, after ministers stopped short of guaranteeing legal rights for parents.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was committed to reforming the current system, which costs £12 billion a year. However, she did not confirm if legally enforceable rights, such as those provided by education, health and care plans (EHCPs), would remain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week

iStock

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London before 30°C heatwave

Key points

  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench London at the start of the week
  • Temperatures set to rise with highs of 31°C expected by Thursday
  • Heatwave could be declared by Friday if warm conditions persist
  • Night-time temperatures to remain high, increasing discomfort
  • UV and pollen levels forecast to be very high across the south

Thunderstorms soak London before summer heat returns

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week as heavy rain and overnight thunderstorms swept through the capital. Monday morning saw widespread downpours, leaving commuters reaching for umbrellas and Wimbledon ticket hopefuls queuing in ponchos.

The unsettled conditions followed a burst of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and continued into the early hours of Monday, prompting caution across the city. The Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning for thunderstorms, but conditions remain unstable.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Trust sets vision to heal
nature and engage more Asians

Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed, René Olivieri and Hilary McGrady at a National Trust event marking its 130th anniversary

National Trust sets vision to heal nature and engage more Asians

THE National Trust, which is seeking to broaden its appeal to British Asians, is marking its 130th anniversary with a renewed commitment to restoring nature and widening access under a 10-year strategy.

Its director-general, Hilary McGrady, also aims to inspire more people to get involved in caring for the country’s natural resources.

Keep ReadingShow less
 7/7 bombings

The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)

Starmer and King Charles pay tribute on 20th anniversary of 7/7 bombings

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and King Charles on Monday paid tribute to the unity shown in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings in London, as the country marked 20 years since the attacks.

On 7 July 2005, four Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross and Tavistock Square. The attacks killed 52 people and injured hundreds more.

Keep ReadingShow less