When his wife asked him for divorce, 20 years back, he denied that he had killed her.
Zafar Khan (61), strangled Naziat Khan (38) with a scarf, at their Norbury, SW London home, August 2001.
Iqbal, wearing a grey prison tracksuit and denying the murder of his wife, appeared at Old Bailey via video link from HMP Wormwood Scrubs.
Iqbal, who was accused of the murder, flew to Pakistan to stay for the next 20 years. He was then extradited to Britain in September 2013.
Iqbal was one of the first to be extradited to Britain from Pakistan in response to improved relations between these two countries.
Zafar Iqbal (61), allegedly strangled Naziat Khan (38) with a scarf in their Norbury home
Iqbal claims that Naziat was murdered in Norbury (southwest London) in 2001.
Anthony Orchard, prosecuting, earlier told the court: ‘On Monday, 20 August 2001, shortly after 1pm in the afternoon, the defendant killed his wife.
‘He strangled her to death.
‘The killing took place at an address in Norbury, southwest London.
‘After killing his wife he…fled the UK to Pakistan.
‘The police were made aware the following day and the deceased was found at the address.
Iqbal is accused of murder and will face trial in the Old Bailey this December 5.
‘A post-mortem examination confirmed strangulation.
‘In relation to bail, the defendant fled to Pakistan and a first incident warrant was issued for his arrest in 2005.
‘After that, enquiries were made with the Pakistani authorities, because there was no formal extradition treaty with them, and an extradition warrant was issued which was executed in Pakistan finally in December 2017.
‘The defendant was remanded in custody in Pakistan and our understanding is that since that time he has fought against his extradition.
‘He was extradited to the UK on 14th September this year and arrested on his arrival.’
Iqbal will be tried at the Old Bailey in December 2005.