A file photo of former preisdent of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: AFP
The army court had extended the sentence of two civilians convicted in the case, and turned their life terms into death penalties.
The Supreme Court took up the case after the two convicts, Rana Naveed and Ameer Sohail, filed a review petition. The two were convicted by a field general court marshal (FGCM) and sentenced to a life term and 20-years jail, respectively.
The court had reserved its judgement in the case on March 1, maintaining that it was against all principles of justice and fair trial to convert a life term into death penalty by an army court of appeal without informing the convicts and adhering to the relevant procedure laid down in the law.
The two men along with six others were tried and convicted by the army court for their involvement in the twin suicide attacks on the official convoy of ex-president Musharraf on December 25 in 2003 when 15 civilians were killed near Jhanda Chichi.
COMMENTS (16)
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there must be an option of dislike as well.
@Sterry:
Pakistan military institution has suffered in its prestige since its take over by Musharaf. The institution must not be used for internal security, which is the function of the police and para miitary or National Guard. The political leadership should know this rule.
Rex Minor
@WB: So a general who takes over a nation illegally is ok and immune from any prison? The truth is that Musharraf should instead be on trial for destroying democracy and ruling as a dictator. By the way, I respect the army as an institution but I don't think that they should be ruling any country by taking over.
Bravo,
Though shall not kill, is God's commanment and this the Islamic Govt. should follow and eliminate capital punishment. If the christian Europe can materiaise this then the muslim countries should follow. Besides, the military has no jurisiction over the civilians.
Rex Minor
Fair trial is a right question but freeing torrorists like this is dangerous. Chief Sahib please do something to convict these torrorists who are beheading our soldiers and killing our civilians in bomb blasts.
Well Done..............Mr. CJ
We know you hate Army in general and Mush in particular...
But should such thing affect your verdicts...
I am amazed on your act...
Allah may save Pakistan from myopic ppl....
The convict's term of life imprisonment was extended to death sentence, that has been changed. No one has been set free.
I am losing my all hopes about Pakistan in presence of this SC.
@ All Please note that the Courts give judgement on the basis of prosecution, witnesses and fair trial and never on the basis of sentiments of a few pseudo-intellectuals. These accused are already serving life sentence. While on the other hand, Pervez Musharraf, the killer of over 300 boys & girls at Lal Masjid, assasin of Akbar Bugti and Benazir Bhutto is (despite being a proclaimed offender) roaming freely in UK & UAE. Fair justice demands that Mush too should be brought to the accused-stand in Court.
Guys; Have you ever heard of Guantanomo bay and why US sends the terror suspects there? I guess , not , otherwise I will not see the commnets I see. Let me tell you that US has laws to follow and that facility is not within the jurisdiction of the US laws.And that is the reason Us keep the suspects without trial over there for years and even when trial is held , it does not have the same standards as the laws appliucable in US. So instead of cursing SCP which is doing a fine job , we should ask our Govt to creat such a facility lets say in Saudi Arabia where they can send such criminals without ever acknowldgeing them .No courts, no , nothing .
Or parliament should pass a law which lowers the burden of proof for such suspects which SCP itself suggested many times. Until one of the two happens lets not criticie just for the sake of it or just to show that you are liberal.And you know what, if you guys will be in US with such attitude you will be tagged as ultra right conservatives not liberals which are supposed to stand for principlies , human values and peace not wars..
I seriously doubt the commitment of SC towards justice. Chief Sb (He who should not be named), again let these killers set free.
How you can control terrorism with this mind set of SC? Can any one guide!
wellllllllllllll done Sirrrrrrrr,
keep encouraging these people, keep sending them a message that nothing will happen to them even if they are apprehended by the security agencies,,, my whole hearted felicitations to you on this brave decision
SC again protecting the terrorists
It was Supreme Court which set Malik Ishaaq free When He was given death penalty by lower courts.. And Now This One...