A three-member SC bench headed by Justice Hashim Kakar announced a unanimous verdict.

Arguing before the court, defence lawyer Khawaja Haris maintained that Zahir Jaffer was not mentally sound at the time of the incident, saying he had been receiving treatment for conditions including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression.

The bench, however, pressed for more than just claims, asking the defence to produce clear medical evidence, including when treatment began, who treated him, and detailed records to support the argument.

The bench asked when the treatment began, which doctors were involved, and whether treatment was ongoing at the time of the incident.

The court also raised questions over a letter submitted from a London clinic and pointed out inconsistencies in the defence’s arguments.

Khawaja Haris further argued that the prosecution had not conducted a drug test of the convict and that there had been media pressure during the trial proceedings.

Justice Hashim Kakar observed that courts do not decide cases under pressure from media reports or social media.

The defence also requested leniency in sentencing instead of a retrial; however, the court noted that the matter relating to the formation of a medical board had already been conclusively settled, and the defence had failed to substantiate its claim effectively.

After completion of arguments, the bench dismissed the review petition and upheld the death sentence awarded to Zahir Jaffer in the case.