ID :
12572
Tue, 07/15/2008 - 16:50
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/12572
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Pak A.G. unsure about decision on commuting death sentences By Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, July 15 (PTI) - Pakistan government's decision to commute all death sentences to life term that revived hopes of freedom for Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh has been caught in legal wranglings with the Attorney General (A.G.) Monday seeking more time to explain the state's stand on the issueafter the Supreme Court questioned the move.
The apex court adjourned the hearing for two weeks after Attorney General Malik Qayyum pleaded that as Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Law Minister Farooq Naek wereunavailable, the issue could not be discussed with them.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar is hearing the case after taking suo motu notice of news reports about the government's move to commute thedeath sentences of about 7,000 convicts.
Gilani announced the proposal on the birth anniversary of slain former premier Benazir Bhutto last month, sparking a heated debate over the death penalty, with severalreligious parties and groups opposing the move.
They argued that only families of victims have theright to revoke the death sentence and not the government.
During Monday's hearing, the Chief Justice asked the Attorney General whether the government had made a finaldecision on commuting death sentences.
Qayyum replied that he was unsure about this matter. He also said he was not in a position to make a categorical statement as the Prime Minister and Law Minister were notavailable for consultations.
Gilani had made a statement on the issue in NationalAssembly and the matter is yet to be discussed, Qayyum said.
The decision had revived hoped of freedom for Sarabjit Singh, who has been languishing in Pakistani jails for 17 years after being sentenced to death for his alleged role in1990 blasts in Lahore and Multan.
After hearing Qayyum, the apex court adjourned thecase till August one.
Zulfiqar Naqvi, an advocate, informed the court that he had filed an application regarding the same issue and wanted to become a party to the case. The Chief Justiceallowed Naqvi's application and he will be heard in the case.
Notices in this regard were issued to the concerned ministries, with the apex court saying this was being done tosafeguard the public interest.
The Chief Justice also ordered the Attorney General and Interior Secretary to appear before the apex court at the next hearing. PTI RHL
The apex court adjourned the hearing for two weeks after Attorney General Malik Qayyum pleaded that as Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Law Minister Farooq Naek wereunavailable, the issue could not be discussed with them.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar is hearing the case after taking suo motu notice of news reports about the government's move to commute thedeath sentences of about 7,000 convicts.
Gilani announced the proposal on the birth anniversary of slain former premier Benazir Bhutto last month, sparking a heated debate over the death penalty, with severalreligious parties and groups opposing the move.
They argued that only families of victims have theright to revoke the death sentence and not the government.
During Monday's hearing, the Chief Justice asked the Attorney General whether the government had made a finaldecision on commuting death sentences.
Qayyum replied that he was unsure about this matter. He also said he was not in a position to make a categorical statement as the Prime Minister and Law Minister were notavailable for consultations.
Gilani had made a statement on the issue in NationalAssembly and the matter is yet to be discussed, Qayyum said.
The decision had revived hoped of freedom for Sarabjit Singh, who has been languishing in Pakistani jails for 17 years after being sentenced to death for his alleged role in1990 blasts in Lahore and Multan.
After hearing Qayyum, the apex court adjourned thecase till August one.
Zulfiqar Naqvi, an advocate, informed the court that he had filed an application regarding the same issue and wanted to become a party to the case. The Chief Justiceallowed Naqvi's application and he will be heard in the case.
Notices in this regard were issued to the concerned ministries, with the apex court saying this was being done tosafeguard the public interest.
The Chief Justice also ordered the Attorney General and Interior Secretary to appear before the apex court at the next hearing. PTI RHL
