Pakistan reckons with its ‘gender terrorism epidemic’ after murder of Noor Mukadam

Victims's family speak of their heartbreak as brutal killing sparks national debate on lack of progress to end violence against women

The family of a 27-year-old woman who was allegedly tortured and beheaded by the son of a business tycoon have spoken of their devastation in a case that has pushed Pakistan to examine what has been called a gender terrorism epidemic".

Zahir Zakir Jaffer was arrested on suspicion of the pre-meditated murder of Noor Mukadam, the youngest daughter of a former Pakistani diplomat, after allegedly holding her captive for three days at his apartment in an upmarket area of Islamabad.