Pakistan

SHC rejects plea seeking delay in Saulat Mirza's execution

Mirza is scheduled to be hanged on May 12 for murdering former KESC managing director in 1997

Naeem Sahoutara/web Desk May 08, 2015

Sindh High Court on Thursday sought replies from the home and prison authorities. PHOTO: YOUTUBE SCREEN GRAB

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Friday rejected a plea seeking delay in death row prisoner Saulat Mirza's execution.

“There is no cogent reason for re-investing the 18-year-old murder of then managing director of the Karachi Electric Supply Company, Shahid Hamid, for which notorious target killer Saulat Mirza is scheduled to be hanged on May 12.”

A division bench, comprising Justices Naimatullah Phulpoto and Shaukat Ali Memon, passed this ruling while dismissing a petition filed by the death row convict Saulat who had sought a delay in his execution till fresh investigations are carried out against those whom he had named in an alleged confessional video.

The petition was filed by Mirza's wife who requested that her husband's hanging should be postponed until a fresh probe takes place.

Mirza was sentenced to death in 1999 for murdering former Karachi Electric Supply Company Managing Director Shahid Hamid in 1997.

The two-member bench observed on Friday that the plea was not maintainable as the convict had exhausted all remedies available before the appellate courts as well as the president.

With just four days remaining till Mirza's execution, the provincial high court on Thursday sought replies from the interior and prison authorities over the possibility of reopening his case.

Read: 'Dodging death': SHC issues notices to AG, ATC in Saulat Mirza case

Mirza, who is currently being held in Mach Jail, had his March 19 hanging postponed after his video confession emerged wherein he made startling claims.

Read: Execution deferment: Saulat Mirza makes second plea

Responses were sought from the advocate general, prosecutor general and the ATC based on a petition filed by Mirza’s wife Nighat. She requested that his execution should be delayed until a fresh probe has taken place.

COMMENTS (7)

ejaz ahmad rana | 9 years ago | Reply It is a moral obligation of the home ministry to reveal the jti report to the nation, and tell the people whether saulat's allegations were true or not, and if true what action government going to take against the real culprits behind the veil.

Bobb Mack | 9 years ago | Reply @Nida: Oye Babe -you need some growing up! I did not suggest Saulat Mirza should be pardoned. The person who plans or orders a murder is as guilty as the one who pulls the trigger. So provided politics can be kept away from influencing this case should be re-opened and should include those he has named. I won't ask you which political party you belong. What is the hurry now when hanging has been deferred for well over a decade. Shall we both stop buck buck because I do not want to put a rope around you for bad language!!

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Danyal | 9 years ago | Reply this is pakistan where Courts not take any action about ramend devis who killed 2 people, and so many politicians who are involved in murders. because he was a big personality, if some one want to change thier life nobody help him. Saulat Mirza are right on the story. i am with him until their execution.

Nida | 9 years ago | Reply @Bobb Mack: Oye Bobb, Even if he was ordered to pull the trigger by someone else, who had the ultimate power to take action? Sualat himself. He also had the power to differ from the commands given. Since he pulled the trigger, he should have a rope around his neck. Keep your illogical bukk bukk to your self bobb.

Tory | 9 years ago | Reply @Bobb Mack: Get some life man.

Lolz | 9 years ago | Reply The fact is very very simple, Judges in Pakistan are dwarfs as compared to gigantic political personalities!!!!! Sindh High Court can't go against MQM and PPP, Punjab High Court can't go against PML-N and so on.....

Bobb Mack | 9 years ago | Reply It would be seen as height of injustice to carry out his hanging while those who planned the crime are sitting pretty. He should not be hanged and should be held as a crucial witness to the whole story. Surely on the basis of what he has revealed his file should be reopened. Politics should be kept aside and nothing should be decided in a hurried manner.

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