A Pakistani-American man has gone on trial accused of raping and beheading his Pakistani girlfriend, who was the daughter of a former diplomat.
Zahir Jaffer, 30, who was born to a prominent family of wealthy Pakistani industrialists, is accused of torturing and killing Noor Mukadam, 27, on July 20.
Mukadam was found dead in a blood-spattered room of Jaffer's home in the posh F-7/4 neighbourhood of Islamabad that evening, and he was arrested at the scene.
Police say Jaffer was wearing blood-covered clothes and carrying a knife which they believe was used to kill and behead her. He denies guilt.
Pakistani law allows the death penalty as a punishment in murder cases, though prosecutors have not said whether they will call for it. Mukadam's parents have said they want a death sentence to be imposed.
Zahir Jaffer, 30, the son of a wealthy Pakistani industrialist, has appeared in court charged with the rape, torture and murder of Noor Mukadam
Noor Mukadam, 27, the daughter of a Pakistani ambassador, was found dead in a blood-spattered room of Jaffer's Islamabad home on July 20
Officers later seized knuckledusters which they alleged were used to torture Mukadam before she was killed, and a pistol.
Police initially said the gun was used in the murder, but prosecutors later backtracked on that claim.
Lawyers claim that Jaffer murdered Mukadam after she refused his marriage proposal and tried repeatedly to flee his sprawling mansion.
Police believe Jaffer may have kept Mukadam hostage for up to two days before killing her, Pakistan's Tribune newspaper reported.
Jaffer has joint American-Pakistani citizenship, though it is unclear what his connection to the US is. He also spent time in the UK, where it is thought he is wanted on suspicion of assault.
Jaffer was brought to court in 2015 accused of assault and granted bail, according to records seen by the Nation newspaper,
