Ramazan respite: PM orders pause in executions

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed that execution of death sentences scheduled during the month of Ramazan may be temporarily suspended to observe the sanctity of the holy month.

Directions in this regard have been issued to the interior ministry and provincial governments for ensuring implementation.

Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani had also spoken to the prime minister for halting executions during the holy month of Ramazan.

However, as per tradition, Pakistan does not execute condemned prisoners in the holy month of Ramazan.

Home departments usually direct superintendents of jails not to hang prisoners on public holidays, Eid days, Ramazan and Youme-e-Ashor. “It’s part of our Islamic traditions, we never hang prisoners in aforesaid days. We don’t issue notification though but it’s observed in the holy month of Ramazan and other public holidays,” said a senior official of the interior ministry. Pakistan has executed more than 152 prisoners since moratorium on hangings was lifted.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19^th, 2015.