Prison rules: Does execution law require a tweak?

Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani asks panel to make a review

ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani on Wednesday directed the Standing Committee on Law and Justice to review whether amendment to the law about execution is necessary in the presence of Rule 354 of the Prison Act 1978.

He said that Rule 354 which is about execution is saying that it would take place at district prison unless the warrant otherwise directs.

The chairman said that if prisoners ask for change of place of the execution, it would be forwarded to the government.

Rule 354 of the Pakistan Prison Rules 1978 says "(i) Executions shall normally take place at the District Prison of the district in which the prisoner was sentenced, unless the warrant otherwise directs.

ii) If a condemned prisoner requests for change of place of execution for any cogent reason, his petition shall be forwarded to the government, through the inspector general, for orders.

If the government orders change in the place of execution, the warrant shall be returned to the sessions judge who issued it for altering the place of execution on the warrant".

He said that the Committee on Law and Justice should take the issue while the standing committees on interior and human rights should be invited.

The chairman said that the minister for law and the law ministry should be invited to see whether in the presence of Rule 354, amendment to the law is necessary or not.

He directed to submit a report in this regard before closing of this session.

Earlier, the lawmakers in the upper house of parliament demanded strict punishment to the person involved in rape and murder of seven-year old girl Zainab in Kasur.

Senator Rehman Malik informed the house about the progress made into the case and arrest of the alleged killer.

He demanded severe punishment to the perpetrators of this heinous act.

The Senate chairman appreciated the immediate response of the Standing Committee on Interior Chairman Rehman Malik and other members of the committee after this heinous crime.

He said both committees of interior and human rights were asked to visit Kasur and inform about the steps taken for arresting the accused.

He said that perpetrator of the crime was arrested before the visit of committee members.

During the deliberations of the interior committee, a resolution was passed to amend the law and public hanging should be made.

“The resolution of the committee has importance but the members, who spoke here in the Senate today, differently opined.”

Senator Ilyas Bilour demanded reforms in society and to provide protection and safety to children, besides giving them moral education.

Senator Muhammad Ali Khan Saif said that Islam teaches to respect the humanity and called for avoiding exploitation of the legislation if made against such a criminal act.

Senator Sitara Ayaz said that there has been exploitation of the poor in this society while children are sexually abused even in the twin cities.

She said strict punishment should be given to those involved in such ugly acts.

Others who spoke on the occasion were Senators Kamil Ali Agha, Hasil Bizenjo, Azam Swati, Saeed ul Hassan Mandokhel, Sehar Kamran, Farhat Ullah Babar, Khushbakht Shujaat, Hafiz Hamd Ullah, Shahi Syed, Jehanzeb Jamaldini, Tahir Mashhadi and Saud Majeed.

Meanwhile, the Senate chairman Raza Rabbani said that Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar had stressed the need for removing flaws in the judicial system in order to ensure speedy and expeditious dispensation of justice to the people.

Chairing the Senate session, Rabbani said he met the chief justice and discussed judicial reforms in light of the recommendations of the Committee of the Whole.

He said the role of the parliamentary committee constituted under Article 175 of the Constitution, for appointment of judges of superior courts also came under discussion.

Rabbani said, "The CJP will soon hold a meeting with members of the parliamentary committee."

Also, State Minister for Energy (Petroleum Division) Jam Kamal Khan apprised the Senate that Pakistan has inked an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with Azerbaijan on February 28, 2017 for import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

Responding to various questions during Question Hour, the minister said Pakistani side has nominated Pakistan State Oil Company Limited (PSOCL), Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL), Pakistan LNG Terminal Limited(PLTL), Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Pakistan PetroleumLimited (PPL) for negotiating Sale/Purchase Agreement for Petroleum Products, LNG Supply, establishment of LNG Terminals etc.