ISLAMABAD: The United States diplomatic mission in Islamabad has apparently distanced itself from the murder of Noor Mukaddam main accused of which is a US citizen – Zahir Jaffer.
The development comes a day after it was reported that the US embassy staff met Zahir Jaffer on Monday. The embassy had requested the police for a meeting with the suspect as he was a dual national of the US and Pakistan.
“I cannot comment on the case due to privacy concerns,” the US embassy spokesperson, Heather Eaton, said when contacted. She also refused to divulge any information when asked if the embassy was following the case or was in contact with any authority.
On Tuesday, the embassy, without naming Jaffer, said, “In a foreign country, US citizens are subject to that country’s laws. When Americans are arrested abroad, the Embassy can check on their well-being and provide a list of lawyers, but cannot provide legal advice, participate in court proceedings or effect [affect] their release.”
In a foreign country, U.S. citizens are subject to that country’s laws. When Americans are arrested abroad, the Embassy can check on their well-being and provide a list of lawyers, but cannot provide legal advice, participate in court proceedings or effect their release.
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) July 27, 2021
The murder and beheading of 27-year-old girl has sparked nationwide outrage with thousands of people calling on the authorities to take the case to its logical end. Noor was the daughter of Shaukat Mukadam, a former Pakistan ambassador to South Korea and Kazakhstan.
Zahir has reportedly confessed to committing the crime. Sources said the prime suspect has repeatedly changed his reasoning for committing the brutal crime. Islamabad police have also found video evidence of him torturing Noor on his mobile phone, as well as CCTV footage of the incident.
Earlier, the Islamabad police had also arrested the parents. Jaffer’s father Zakir Jaffer and mother Asmat Adamjee were taken into custody by the police in the federal capital late on Saturday night.
The police also arrested domestic helpers Iftikhar and Jamil for investigation. The arrests of Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee were made after a detailed statement by Noor’s father, Shaukat Mukaddam.
