PHOTO: AFP
The government lifted the ban on death sentence last week, which has paved the way for law enforcement agencies to execute more than 8,000 prisoners whose mercy petitions have been rejected.
To discuss the issue of capital punishment, British High Commissioner Philip Barton called on Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali, and Member of German Parliament Christoph Strässer met Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and many other senior officials.
“I am disappointed by the decision of the Pakistani government to completely lift the death penalty moratorium. Capital punishment is inhuman and is no deterrent. I urge our Pakistani partners to reconsider this decision,” said Strässer in a statement issued by the German embassy on Wednesday.
Read: To the gallows: Govt set to hang 12 inmates on death row
During his meetings with Fatemi, Punjab Home Minister Col (retd) Shuja Khanzada and other dignitaries, he also raised the issue of the prosecution of religious and ethnic minorities, religious freedom and freedom of expression, as well as women’s and children’s rights in Pakistan.
Barton also took up this issue with the interior minister in Islamabad, according to an official statement.
The minister said that though it was an internal matter of Pakistan, he understands the concern of our friends in the international community on the issue.
After the withdrawal of the moratorium on capital punishment for terrorism-related cases, it was not possible to maintain a partial moratorium in other cases as that would have been discriminatory and against the law and the Constitution, the interior minister said.
Read: Capital offences : Govt rings death knell for 8,000 convicts
The law does not allow partial or discriminatory implementation in any form, he explained. He further elaborated that due process will be followed, in letter and spirit, in ensuring a just application of the law. Pakistan has an independent judiciary which will ensure the rights of every defendant, he said.
Discussing Pak-UK multifaceted bilateral relations, the interior minister, while expressing satisfaction over the upward trajectory of the bilateral relations, appreciated UK’s strong commitment and support to Pakistan for the strengthening of democracy, the economy and state institutions.
Speaking about the government's priorities, Nisar said pursuing a fight against militants and extremists to its logical conclusion was the foremost priority, and no effort would be spared towards this end. He said the concrete measures being taken under the National Action Plan clearly reflect the will of the nation to rid the land from the menace of extremism, and to secure peace for the country and beyond.
US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson Meeting
The United States Ambassador Richard Olson also discussed issues related to security and capital punishment with the interior minister at the Punjab House, according to an official statement.
Read: Govt lifts death penalty moratorium completely: officials
“Olson and Nisar discussed the issue of the lifting of the ban on moratorium – the interior minister convinced the American ambassador over the latest development, which was otherwise necessary keeping in mind counter-extremism,” an interior ministry official familiar with the meeting points told The Express Tribune.
Nisar’s visit to the US, Pak-US bilateral relations and the regional situation were also discussed during the meeting, a statement said.
“Peace in the region was a shared objective of the two countries, and a close collaboration and enhancing multifaceted cooperation between the two countries was of great significance for achieving shared objectives and goals,” it read.
Pakistan, while keeping its national interests supreme, wants to have a long term, sustained and multifaceted equation with Washington that would not only contribute towards bringing the two countries closer to each other, but would also contribute significantly towards the promotion of regional peace and development, it added.
Read: ATC issues death warrants for Saulat Mirza
Nisar reiterated his call regarding strengthening of local communities, winning the trust of the mainstream peace-loving majority, building resilience in local communities against radicalization, addressing the push factors that drive people towards extremism and focusing on education to promote tolerance and communal could form the conceptual bed rock for global action plan in dealing with violent extremism, the statement concludes.
IG FC Balochistan meets Nisar
Inspector General Frontier Corps Balochistan Major General Sher Afgun briefed Nisar about the overall law and order situation in Balochistan, and the various efforts being made to serve the people in critical areas -- such as education.
He also brought to the attention of the minister various matters concerning the functioning of the force. The Minister said the FC was performing multi-pronged functions in Balochistan – which, besides its normal responsibilities, included police functions, supporting the army and giving intelligence input -- all of which has contributed significantly towards improving the law and order situation in the province in the last one year, continued the minister.
He assured his full support to the organisation in its efforts for the maintenance of law and order, and also towards meeting its requirements.
COMMENTS (3)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ