Thread by @mehreenzahra

At the #NoorMukadam murder case indictment hearing today, #ZahirJaffer spoke openly before the court for the first time. Some of his main quotes in this thread:

“I accept I have committed this crime, now it’s up to you to punish or forgive me," he tells court.

1/n

“We quarrelled, and we both were angry, and this all happened," a somber looking #ZahirJaffer, visibly in low spirits unlike at previous hearings, said before additional sessions judge Atta Rabbani at indictment hearing in #NoorMukadam murder trial
2/n

As lawyers for the #ZahirJaffer and #NoorMukadam families presented arguments, #ZahirJaffer kept interrupting and saying speaking before the court was his “basic right.” At one point he sat down and started sobbing loudly.

3/n

“I want to apologise,” #ZahirJaffer said. “This case is related to me. You are hearing the lawyers of others but not giving me time.”

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At one point #ZahirJaffer turned to the victim’s father and said, “I was in a relationship with your daughter for the last three years. My life is now in your hands. Please have mercy on me.”

“But if you want to see me hanged, it’s okay and I’m ready for it.”

5/n

In one of his most mystifying statements, #ZahirJaffer told the court #NoorMukadam had offered herself for “the sacrifice.” It was unclear what he meant by “sacrifice.”

6/n

At multiple times during the hearing, #ZahirJaffer blamed Therapy Works staff for the murder, though it was unclear how their presence at the scene had led him to behead #NoorMukadam.

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“We had arguments, but if these people [Therapy Works staff] didn’t come in, this [the murder] would not have happened,” #ZahirJaffer says at #NoorMukadam murder case indictment hearing

8/n

Pointing to Amjad, a Therapy Works employee indicted in the murder case, #ZahirJaffer said: “He is the guy … I asked them [Therapy Works staff] to wait outside [my home] for at least thirty minutes, but they barged in through a window and this all happened.”

9/n

#ZahirJaffer appealed to the judge to release him from jail, put him under house arrest.
“I can’t live in the jail, can’t lead such a life. I want to live a life where I have a wife and children.”
“Please tell me if you’re going to hang me. Release me or forgive me.”

10/n

#ZahirJaffer requested the court multiple times to let him make a phone call, though he did not specify who he wanted to call.

11/n

Regarding a pistol found at the crime scene, #ZahirJaffer said:
“That pistol belongs to my father. And this all was in my father’s knowledge,” he said. It was unclear if he meant that his father knew he was going to commit a crime.

12/12 @AamirSaeed_

arabnews.pk/node/1948061/p…