Life of physically-challenged man on death row hangs upon doctor's assessment: LHC

LHC dismisses petition to suspend the death sentence for Abdul Basit, says final decision to be taken by jail doctor

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday disposed a petition which sought suspension of death sentence for a physically-challenged convict, noting that a final decision would be taken by jail doctor, superintendent.

The division bench, headed by Justice Anwarul Haq, observed that the matter had been referred to jail doctors and that counsel Barrister Sara Belal – representing petitioner Abdul Basit, should wait for the decision of jail doctor and superintendent whether the execution should be suspended because of any illness or disability.

Belal argued that Basit’s health had deteriorated because of negligence by jail authorities. Contending that since Basit’s legs were paralyzed, and that he could not move on his own power. She argued that his execution in this state would violate jail rules, in addition to the inhumanity of executing a physically-challenged person.

Prosecution counsel Advocate General Nasir Chohan, however, dismissed the argument that Basit’s execution would be in violation of jail rules. He said that the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the Lahore High Court had previously refused to suspend the death sentence of Maqbool Hussain on grounds of disability.

Basit had been sentenced to death for killing one Asif Nadeem in Okara.