Doctors at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) have declared Zahir Jaffer, the main convict in the Noor Muqaddam murder case, mentally and psychologically fit.

According to sources, a two-member medical board from PIMS examined Zahir Jaffer three days ago upon a formal request by the superintendent of Adiala Jail, where Jaffer is currently serving his sentence. The medical checkup was conducted by specialists from the hospital’s Department of Psychology and Neurology.

The report, based on the medical board’s findings, confirmed that Zahir Jaffer showed no signs of mental illness or psychological disorder. His behaviour and temperament were found to be completely normal, eliminating any doubts about his mental health status.

Sources within PIMS stated, “After thorough evaluation, the medical board concluded that Zahir Jaffer is completely healthy from both psychological and neurological perspectives.”

Also Read: Noor Mukadam case: Adiala Jail seeks medical board for Zahir Jaffer ahead of clemency plea

On July 20, The Rawalpindi Adiala Jail Superintendent had formally written to the PIMS Hospital administration, requesting the formation of a medical board to assess Jaffer’s physical and psychological condition.

According to the letter, a copy of which was available with Samaa TV, the Supreme Court had already rejected Jaffer’s appeal against the death sentence, leaving the presidential mercy petition as his last legal option.

The letter stated that a medical and psychological evaluation by an official board was a necessary requirement before the clemency appeal can be filed before the president. The Adiala Jail administration had urged PIMS to form the board promptly to fulfil this legal prerequisite.

Also Read: Noor Mukadam case: SC upholds Zahir Jaffer’s death sentence

On May 20, the Supreme Court had upheld the death sentence of Zahir Jaffer for the 2021 gruesome murder of Noor Mukadam dismissing his appeal. Noor, aged 27 years, was found murdered at Zahir’s Islamabad residence in July 2021, with the investigation revealing that she was tortured before being beheaded.

The trial court sentenced Zahir to death, a verdict later upheld by the Islamabad High Court (IHC), which also converted his jail term for rape charges into a second death penalty.

A three-member Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Hashim Kakar and comprising Justices Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Ali Baqar Najafi heard the case.