Pakistan: Pemra prohibits telecast of CCTV footage in Noor Mukadam murder case

Citing Pemra notification, Dawn reported that telecast of CCTV footage of Noor and Zahir has been prohibited under Section 27 of the Pemra Ordinance, 2002.

"All satellite TV channels (news and current affairs/regional language) are, therefore, directed to stop airing aforementioned CCTV footage immediately," the notification said.

The media regulator said strict action will be taken against people found violating under Section 29, 30 and 33 of the Pemra Ordinance, 2002.

According to Dawn report, Noor, 27, was found brutally murdered at a residence in Islamabad on July 20. She was raped and murdered with a sharp instrument.

The accused, Zahir Jaffer, was arrested from the site of murder, under Section 302 (premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of the victim's father, Shaukat Ali Mukadam, the Pakistani daily reported.

On Oct 14, a trial court had indicted 11 more people in the case including Zahir's parents.

The prosecution had submitted the transcript of the CCTV footage to an Islamabad sessions court after which it was directed to the public prosecutor to provide the footage to the defence councel.

However, one of the victim's friends said on Twitter that the CCTV footage is being aired by the TV channels despite court instructing otherwise.

"Absolutely shocked and shattered. Its only been a day since the CCTV footage was given to the defence legal team," Dawn quoted the tweet that was published in the handle -- Justice for Noor.

It further said, "The Judge told them that it shouldn't be leaked at all. Now it's out there. No regard of what this would be like for Noor's loved ones. Haven't they been through enough?"