In June, Nawaz scrapped the moratorium on the death penalty in a bid to crack down on criminals and militants.
The new government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in June scrapped the moratorium on the death penalty in a bid to crack down on criminals and militants in the country.
But on Sunday the government announced that executions, which had been scheduled to begin this week, would be stayed temporarily following objections from outgoing President Asif Ali Zardari.
The stay would last until Zardari returns from abroad to discuss the matter with Sharif, a statement said.
"In due deference to the wish of the president, it has been desired that all executions of death sentences may be held in abeyance till the discussion takes place," it said.
Zardari steps down on September 8, to be replaced by businessman Mamnoon Hussain, a close Sharif ally who was elected in July.
Two convicted killers from banned sectarian outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) were due to hang this Wednesday or Thursday in the southern town of Sukkur, officials had said.
Other prisoners on death row had also expected to be executed this week.
On Friday, Human Rights Watch and the International Commission of Jurists asked to abolish the death penalty once and for all.
"A return to executions will derail one of democratic Pakistan's most tangible human rights successes," said Sam Zarifi, Asia-Pacific director of the International Commission of Jurists.
"Under military rule, Pakistan endured the widespread application of the death penalty. The new government should demonstrate its clear opposition to any use of this ghastly punishment."
The rights groups cited official figures as saying that Pakistan has more than 7,000 prisoners on death row, one of the largest populations of prisoners facing execution in the world.
The interior ministry has said up to 450 convicts are awaiting execution and that their cases will be examined.
Under the previous government, no one except a soldier convicted by court martial was put to death since 2008.
The Taliban have said they will consider the executions of any of its prisoners a declaration of war.
Tens of thousands of people have been killed as a result of terrorism since 2001.
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does it not mean that pak govt/army support terrorist????? otherwise why but, if , else where terrorist is concern? its a historical failure of pakistan and must be criticise by whole world. What else needed to prove that pakistan supports terrorists 1. Intentionally militants are released from jail several times by fake drama. 2. No action against known terrorists.....
its suspicious, doubtful and strange
Mia jee must remember this phrase 'Jo dar gaya woh mar gaya'.
Mian Nawaz Sharif should tell us the truth. Why he is not leading from the front and doing what's good for the future of the nation? He must expose those, who are not letting him do the right thing. We, the ordinary supporters of Mian Sahib need answers.
Romance between TTP and pak govt. keep it up.
here we go. country created terrorists obviously not to hanging them.this is pakistani tribute and love to terrorists. shame.this is why pakistan called Terroristan.
The reason why PMLN failed to take down Sikander, the hostage taker, was that they were worried about whose operative was he. The delay was due to the clearance needed from their allies in southern Punjab and north waziristan. PMLN didn't want to invite their wrath.
@WB: First, it's not funny, kid! Second, NS is no Zardari. The latter has guts to confront and withstand pressure. Whereas the former has the heart of an absconder, and hence the u-turn.
What if judges, policemen, army personnels dont take actions against terrorists to save theirs and their families' lives ?
Then they blame Imran khan for appeasing Taliban. Geo bhutto or Taliban ko bhi jeene do. Whoa
Nawaz Sharif is worried terrorists will attack his model town home or raiwind palace. Even though 1000's of police guard it (who should be protecting the people) he is still to scared of TTP. That is how people who have made their fortune by "loot mar" are.
Every execution requires the approval of the President. It is illegal without it. The only reason these four were set to be executed was because their death warrant was signed by the acting President while Zardari was abroad, but now he's back, and has a problem. It has nothing to do with guts or courage, as many seem to think, and everything to do with legality. As long as the executions take place, with Mamnoon Hussain as President if need be, there is nothing wrong with this delay.
Not that I am any fan of NS but if anyone read the news correctly would have realized that moratorium is based on advice by Zardari and he is the same person behind every stay for the last five years
Abolish the death penalty. Its about time we become merciful to confirmed rapists, murderers, traitors, drug addicts, torturers and so on. Its also about time we deploy more army in the tribal areas because of suspected militants and allow more drone strikes. That's all that can be expected from the previously failed PML-N govt. !!
Disappointed.
All talks to fight terrorist are to make nation fool. When these people cant hanged convicted ones then its too far to catch, prosecute, and sentence the gang of TTP, LJ etc. Shame on PMLN cowards.
the terrorist dont think before killing people even 1 time and these pakistani diplomats are thnking this much..world knows hypocracy...first make terrorsist and then save them..very good...good luck to pakistan in coming future.....
Any such thoughts on Hudood Ordinance and Blasphemy Law ?
Looks like PMLN gave in to terrorist demands .....Now the only logical step is for animal rights activists to demand change of their election symbol to stop insulting the tiger
For all the Nooners, ha ha ha, NS is the new Zardari, hiding in his PM house while the country is handed over to the ttp! PMLN had a similar deal with ttp punjab for the past 5 years!
The new government should demonstrate its clear opposition to any use of this ghastly punishment.” Can any human rights 'expert' explain death for death is ghastly.
True face of Nawaz Sharif and PML-N...............wishy-washy at best.
The word 'courage' is missing from Mr NS and PMLN's dictionary. I have no hopes from this government anymore. And ET please put some light on the drama of 'local bodies system' they are going to adopt in Punjab. Can there by a bigger joke than this?
Lol ... Always knew they didnt hve to guts todo this .... One more point to the taliban and govt 0 :p
NS should stick to his ground. I dont know why Zardari is putting weight behind ban on capital punishment. I know it is a flag bearer issue for western liberals but is it the same when it comes to hoard core terrorists?I thought to undo the ban was a good decision of new Govt nd they must stick to it.
Asma Jehangir would be in dilemna I guess. She is deadly agaisnt both. Te terrorists and capital puishment; both as matter of principle.I wuld be inyterested to know her clear position.
All those laws or wish or desire from outside is accepted at once and guns inside keep killing-what a country,nothing is said for those from out side about the killers because non of their people being killed so brutally,
How easily you succumbed to one threat and we were expecting you will lead us to victory on war against terrorism.