The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights has vehemently condemned the remarks made by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi in an additional note on the high-profile Noor Mukadam murder case, deeming the observations “ridiculous.”
Justice Najafi, who upheld the death sentence for convict Zahir Jaffer, had controversially claimed that the murder was a direct result of a “vice” spreading in society known as the “living relationship,” referring to unmarried cohabitation, which he asserted defies both the law of the land and Sharia. The committee expressed grave alarm over the potential impact of a judge making such remarks, questioning the future of the conviction rate in cases against women, which is already a “shameful” 1.2% due to systemic issues like weak prosecution and judicial delays.
Justice Ali Baqar Najafi’s note blaming “living relationships” in a case where a woman was brutally murdered reflects a troubling mindset.
Women deserve justice, not judgment. https://t.co/hdhWQOYcrE
— Benazir Shah (@Benazir_Shah) November 26, 2025
The committee specifically noted the lack of a centralized Gender-Based Violence (GBV) database and the chronic underfunding of essential support structures, including shelters and GBV courts. In response to these concerns, the committee immediately summoned advocate generals, prosecutor generals, police officials, and all relevant authorities to address the low conviction rate and the deep-seated issues facing the prosecution of violence against women.
Justice Najafi’s comments, which surfaced just after the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, have also drawn widespread criticism from lawyers, journalists, and social media users.
You May Like To Read: PHC Bans Unrelated Political Gatherings in Government and Educational Institutions
Check out our latest video:
