Verdict: PHC stays execution of militant

PESHAWAR: A division bench of the Peshawar High Court suspended the execution of a militant who was awarded death sentence by a military court and sought record of his trial. The bench, comprising PHC Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel and Justice Ikramullah Khan, heard a writ petition on Wednesday. The petition was filed by Alam Khan through his counsel Barrister Amirullah Chamkani. Chamkani said the petitioner’s brother Muhammad Umar, a resident of Battagram, was arrested by intelligence agencies on August 10, 2014 from Mansehra. The counsel said little was known about his whereabouts since then. However, his family came to know on May 3, 2016 that he was awarded the death penalty by a military court and his execution was approved by chief of army staff. He said the convict was sentenced to death on charges of having affiliation with militant organisations, carrying out attacks on security forces and keeping explosives.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2016.