Taseer murder case: IHC upholds Mumtaz Qadri's death sentence

Court declares Qadri's death sentence under the Anti Terrorism Act null and void

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) upheld Mumtaz Qadri’s death sentence on Monday under Section-302 of the Pakistan Penal Code for killing former Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer, but struck out a terrorism conviction, making it unlikely he will be executed soon.

The Islamabad High Court dismissed an appeal against the death sentence by Mumtaz Qadri, a former police bodyguard who shot dead Punjab governor Salman Taseer in Islamabad in 2011. However, declared Qadri's death sentence under the Anti Terrorism Act null and void.

Qadri admitted shooting Taseer, saying he objected to the politician's calls to reform Pakistan's strict blasphemy laws which can carry the death penalty.

Judges Noorul Haq Qureshi and Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui dismissed the appeal over the murder charge.

But they also set aside Qadri's conviction on terrorism charges, which means it is highly unlikely he will be sent to the gallows any time soon.

An anti-terrorism court handed down double death sentences for murder and terrorism to Qadri in late 2011. However, the self-confessed killer of the former governor Punjab had filed an appeal in the court against his conviction which the IHC dismissed.

Read: Salman Taseer murder: IHC reserves judgement on Qadri's murder appeal

Taseer's former bodyguard, Qadri, shot him outside an upmarket coffee shop in Islamabad, saying he objected to the politician's calls to reform strict blasphemy laws.

Qadri's lawyer Mian Nazeer said they had not yet decided about appealing to the Supreme Court, but were pleased with the ruling on the terrorism charges.

"We have got relief by this decision. Charges against Qadri under provision seven of anti-terrorism act have been dropped," Nazeer said.

Earlier, Qadri's case took an interesting turn when the IHC remarked that even a judge cannot touch an accused after awarding him punishment, yet the defence counsel insisted that a person can kill another person under unusual circumstances.

Earlier, on February 7 when the two judges resumed hearing in the case of the case, Justice Siddiqui questioned whether the case should be decided on the basis of emotions or the letter of the law.

Read: Salmaan Taseer murder: IHC dumps Qadri’s defence arguments

Counsel for Qadri Justice (retd) Mian Nazir Akhar insisted that “anyone can be killed under unusual circumstances.” Quoting examples from Islamic history, he mentioned incidents in which blasphemers were killed for making derogatory remarks against the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and their act was appreciated by the then rulers.

However, the judge observed that at that time the nature of things was different and the said team had judicial powers.

The legal heirs of Salmaan Taseer filed an application before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday, requesting it to reject the murder appeal of Mumtaz Qadri.


Read: Mumtaz Qadri does not deserve mercy, Taseer's family appeals to court

The ruling was a surprise to many who had expected the killer's sentence might be reduced amid growing threats to lawyers and judges hearing blasphemy-related cases.

Qadri has been hailed as a hero by many conservatives eager to drown out any calls to soften blasphemy legislation. The killing highlighted a growing gulf between conservatives and more liberal elements in society.

At his original trial, Qadri was showered with rose petals by some lawyers. His current appeal team features two judges, including the former chief justice of Lahore High Court.

The judge who convicted Qadri was forced to flee the country after death threats.

Reporters and other members of the public were not allowed into Monday's hearing. Qadri's lawyer could not be reached for comment immediately.

Several TV channels reported the verdict and footage showed police sealing the court building with barbed wire soon after the verdict was announced.