No plans to convert death sentences to life imprisonment: Nisar

Says a total of 13,223 death penalties were announced across the country since 2002, of which, 501 were executed.

ISLAMABAD: There is no proposal under consideration to convert the death sentence into life imprisonment, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told the Senate on Wednesday.  

Responding to a question, the minister said a total of 13,223 death penalties were announced across the country since 2002, of which, 501 were executed.

Moratorium

A 2008 moratorium on capital punishment imposed by the Pakistan Peoples Party’s government expired on June 30 and the country was due to execute two jailed militants in August under the new government led by Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz.

But reports soon emerged that the government scrapped plans to reinstate the death penalty following threats by militants to step up attacks in retaliation.

“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 had said.

The government had earlier 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.