Pakistan

SC rejects Mumtaz Qadri’s review petition against death sentence

Qadri has been awarded capital punishment for murder of ex-Punjab Governor Salman Taseer in Islamabad’s Koshar...

Hasnaat Malik December 14, 2015

Malik Mumtaz Qadri. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday rejected a review petition against the death sentence of former elite force guard Mumtaz Qadri for killing former Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer.

A three-judge bench of the apex court headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa took up Qadri's review petition against the court's October 6 order for maintaining his death penalty.

SC upholds death sentence for Salmaan Taseer's killer

During the hearing, which continued for almost 45 minutes, former Lahore High Court (LHC) judge Mian Nazir Akhtar failed to point out any error in the court’s judgement, resulting in dismissal of the review petition over non-maintainability.

Further, Justice Khosa remarked that it was not proved that Salman Taseer had committed blasphemy.

The former commando of the Punjab Police’s Elite Force had challenged the Islamabad High Court (IHC)’s verdict on his death sentence in the country’s top court. Lawyers for Mumtaz Qadri filed the plea in the apex court claiming that the matter was not about murder but provocation.

Mumtaz Qadri threatens to commit suicide

In its ruling, the Supreme Court also declared the IHC decision of annulling the death sentence under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) null and void.

The sentence was first awarded by an anti-terror court and was then upheld by the IHC before being challenged in the apex court.

Last month, Qadri threatened to commit suicide if he is not allowed to meet his family in a separate room. Earlier, when his brother and father went to meet him at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, they were only allowed to see him through an iron fence owing to security concerns.

However, Qadri protested against the move and threatened to commit suicide if he was not allowed to meet his family in a separate room.

Mumtaz Qadri threatens to commit suicide

Qadri was sentenced to death for the murder of former Punjab Governor Salman Taseer in Islamabad’s Koshar Market on January 4, 2011.

COMMENTS (22)

idiotic paki | 8 years ago | Reply Why blame only on Qadri. If Salman is sensitive enough he should be careful in showing his inclinations and support. Pakistan is a very sensitive when Islam is at stake. He as politician should be very well aware of this. Thus his action on that day clearly demonstrates his provocative stands.

Mehmood | 8 years ago | Reply Qadri must be hanged and all who considering him a GHAZI including Mufti Hanif.

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NL | 9 years ago | Reply I despise Qadri but its time to do away with the death penalty. It doesn't punish the author of the crime nor does it permit his rehabilitation. The death penalty punishes those who had nothing to do with the crime - his family - more than the criminal himself. There is difference between justice and revenge and bloodlust which we often forget.

Raj - USA | 9 years ago | Reply Except for one remark made by Justice Kosha, I like the rest of it. "Further, Justice Khosa remarked that it was not proved that Salman Taseer had committed blasphemy." It was not necessary for Justice Kosha to make this remark.

Hassan | 9 years ago | Reply After the rejection of Mumtaz'Qadri's review appeal from the Apex Court the convict should be hanged immediately and after the courts's verdict all responsibility lies on government. It is quite interesting that Jamat-e-Islami and PTI ridiculously tried to use his name and pictures in their local government election campaign in Karachi, just for the sake of power and fame which clearly indicates their hypocrisy and action should also be taken against those who support a killer who publicly murdered a sitting governor in broad daylight. Wake up government and do the rest after the court's historic verdict. Well done Supreme Court I salute you all

Dajjal | 9 years ago | Reply In the words of Bob Dylan: And I hope that you die And your death'll come soon I will follow your casket In the pale afternoon And I'll watch while you're lowered Down to your deathbed And I'll stand over your grave 'Til I'm sure that you're dead.

khan | 9 years ago | Reply It is the test case for, justice, security of Pakistan, development of Pakistan. As long as the punishment is not carried out there is chance there are many a slip between cup and lip.

sehr.siddiqui | 9 years ago | Reply Why is this guy making appeals after appeals. He should happily go to gallows and be a shaheed. I am surprised on PTI and JI whose election posters in Karachi had the pictures of Qadri and likes. Both these parties are abettors and promoters of this this mindset.

John B | 9 years ago | Reply Given the domestic climate, pak will commute his death sentence to life impriosnment when the appeal goes to the president.

Whiskey Khan | 9 years ago | Reply Now that all has been said and done. It's time he be sent to meet his Maker.

Karachiite | 9 years ago | Reply what disgusts me more is the character of the man advocating qadri's case. how low can a person get?

goggi (Lahore) | 9 years ago | Reply The most crucial matter is not once again to kill a human, rather to abolish the insane blasphemy law, which is the root cause of all human misery and communal dissonance. We can never create true respect with a stick or a gun, only fears and hatred.

Bisma | 9 years ago | Reply Very good SC

Allah Rukha | 9 years ago | Reply With dozens of witnesses present at the time of incident, immediate arrest and confession of murderer, the victim being the Governor of the most populous province, this case still has not met its final destiny. This is perhaps one of the most simplest cases and prominent cases in the history of Pakistan but justice is still delayed.

Jibran | 9 years ago | Reply This terrorist is still receiving VIP treatment in the jail. http://tribune.com.pk/story/999513/mumtaz-qadri-threatens-to-commit-suicide/

R.A | 9 years ago | Reply I hope we will not be waiting long before the news about the end to this saga

Shabbir | 9 years ago | Reply Finally, justice has been served and this verdict proves that Pakistan still has a chance. Now, he should be hanged immediately in front of the family of the man he murdered.

Saleem | 9 years ago | Reply Why is it when it comes to their own life these murders will go to any length to save it?

A-No.1 | 9 years ago | Reply No more appeals left. Time to carry out punishment.

Dija | 9 years ago | Reply Appreciate the decision taken by SC-this person should be hanged ASAP...

Parvez | 9 years ago | Reply Well done SC......and well done ET for keeping track and reporting this.

SKN | 9 years ago | Reply Time to stand up to these fanatics!

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