Femicide, making headlines, is not a headline in Pakistan anymore. The beheading of Noor Mukadam needs to be a test case for the system which has repeatedly failed victims of violence in the past.
One does need to look far behind in the past to know why Noor’s murderer Zahir Jaffer must be made an example. During the first four months of 2021 alone, 53 cases of gang rape and nearly as much honor-killing were reported from across Pakistan.
Even if you sweep all the unreported crimes against women under the rug, the conviction rate for the reported cases is still less than 4 percent. According to the global gender gap report of 2020, Pakistan ranks 151 out of 153 countries, falling among war-torn countries like Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.
If you still don’t understand why it is scary to be a woman in Pakistan and why women feel the need to march on roads, just take a look at the defaced vigil of Noor Mukadam in the city of Sialkot. Residents of Sialkot had created a mural of Noor Mukadam to remember her, the background of which was reportedly painted by Noor herself. 
But even before it could completely dry, Noor’s portrait on the mural was defaced with black paint. Someone said that only dead victims are believed in Pakistan, but even her brutal beheading could not spare Noor from victim shaming and spite.
On the other hand, Zahir Jaffer’s parents are busy playing the victim card. After a session court in Islamabad dismissed their bail application, Zahir’s parents are planning to appeal in High Court. Jaffers, who not only caused abetment but also made utmost efforts to wipe off evidence, are trying to buy their way out using their financial influence.
Call it her family’s status, Jaffer family’s connections, or the killing in Islamabad’s most exclusive neighborhood, Noor’s death could have been easily lost in Pakistan’s misogynistic crime pool.
Nevertheless, Noor’s case must be treated as a test case because Pakistan does not afford more “Noors.”
Noor Mukadam’s older sister, Sara Mukadam, says that her younger sibling was a beautiful soul who wanted to change the world. Now that she is gone, let’s hope Noor’s death will lead to change and create enough impetus for stronger laws and actions to protect women against violence.
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