With thousands on death row, govt rules against death penalty
A 2008 moratorium on capital punishment imposed by the previous government expired on June 30.
A 2008 moratorium on capital punishment imposed by the previous government expired on June 30. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The government has scrapped plans to reinstate the death penalty following threats by militants to step up attacks in retaliation.
A 2008 moratorium on capital punishment imposed by the previous government expired on June 30 and the country had been due to execute two jailed militants in August - a plan described by the Tehreek-e-Taliban as an act of war.
"The government has decided to continue with the moratorium on capital punishment since it is aware of its international commitments and is following them," Interior Ministry spokesperson Omar Hamid said.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif-led government originally said it wanted to reinstate the death penalty in a bid to crack down on criminals and militants in a move strongly criticised by international human rights groups.
Up to 8,000 people languish on death row in dozens of overcrowded and violent jails.
The moratorium drew praise because of concerns its courts and police were too inept to ensure the accused a fair trial. Pakistan did, however, break its own rules in 2012 when it executed a convicted murderer and a former army serviceman.
The government has scrapped plans to reinstate the death penalty following threats by militants to step up attacks in retaliation.
A 2008 moratorium on capital punishment imposed by the previous government expired on June 30 and the country had been due to execute two jailed militants in August - a plan described by the Tehreek-e-Taliban as an act of war.
"The government has decided to continue with the moratorium on capital punishment since it is aware of its international commitments and is following them," Interior Ministry spokesperson Omar Hamid said.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif-led government originally said it wanted to reinstate the death penalty in a bid to crack down on criminals and militants in a move strongly criticised by international human rights groups.
Up to 8,000 people languish on death row in dozens of overcrowded and violent jails.
The moratorium drew praise because of concerns its courts and police were too inept to ensure the accused a fair trial. Pakistan did, however, break its own rules in 2012 when it executed a convicted murderer and a former army serviceman.