Death penalty ban lifted in aftermath of massacre in Peshawar, paving way for hundreds to be hanged
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan plans to execute around 500 militants in coming weeks, officials said Monday, after the government lifted a moratorium on the death penalty in terror cases following a Taliban school massacre.
Six militants have been hanged since Friday amid rising public anger over Tuesday’s slaughter in the northwestern city of Peshawar, which left 149 people dead including 133 children.
After the deadliest terror attack in Pakistani history, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ended the six-year moratorium on the death penalty, reinstating it for terrorism-related cases.
“Interior ministry has finalized the cases of 500 convicts who have exhausted all the appeals, their mercy petitions have been turned down by the president and their executions will take place in coming weeks,” a senior government official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
A second official confirmed the information.
Of the six hanged so far, five were involved in a failed attempt to assassinate the then-military ruler Pervez Musharraf in 2003, while one was involved in a 2009 attack on army headquarters.
Police, troops and paramilitary Rangers have been deployed across the country and airports and prisons put on red alert as the executions take place and troops intensify operations against Taliban militants in northwestern tribal areas.
Sharif has ordered the attorney general’s office to “actively pursue” capital cases currently in the courts, a government spokesman said.
“Prime Minister has also issued directions for appropriate measures for early disposal of pending cases related to terrorism,” the spokesman said without specifically confirming the plan to execute 500.
Pakistan has described Tuesday’s bloody rampage as its own “mini 9/11,” calling it a game-changer in the fight against extremism.
The decision to reinstate executions has been condemned by human rights groups, with the United Nations also calling for it to reconsider.
Human Rights Watch on Saturday termed the executions “a craven politicized reaction to the Peshawar killings” and demanded that no further hangings be carried out.
Pakistan began its de facto moratorium on civilian executions in 2008, but hanging remains on the statute books and judges continue to pass death sentences.
Before Friday’s resumption, only one person had been executed since then — a soldier convicted by a court martial and hanged in November 2012.
@ bernard ross:
The Kurds are the only decent people over there.It’s a crime that we haven’t helped them achieve statehood.
Of course Israel won’t lift the ban on capital punishment. Like all the other idiotic western nations it’s just too “civilized” to execute murderers. I would love to see Pakistan hang all 500 terrorists at the same time.SHmuel HaLevi 2 Said:
@ watsa46:
Couldn’t agree more. The Muslim world (excluding perhaps some of SE Asia, like Indonesia) is regressing toward a interpretation of Islam that might be too extreme for Mohammed himself – and that’s saying something.
There needs to be a Muslim enlightenment but the West cannot make it happen. As long as Saudi Arabia remains at the forefront of the Sunni bloc, I can’t see this happening. The Saudi regime, in my opinion, is one of the great evils of the world. It guarantees the impossibility of a Muslim enlightenment. On one hand, it spreads a Salafist/Wahhabist anti-Semitic, anti-Shia, and anti-modern point of view through all of the Muslim world; on the other hand, it enjoys the full and enthused backing of the House of Bush and the American establishment. I know the Iranians talk tougher, and that the Israelis have a working relationship with the Saudis, but I believe wholeheartedly that it is the Saudis who are Israel’s greatest enemy in the long view. They are the root of the evil in the region, and the true “head of the snake.” I despise them.
A big jump from the 7th to the 21st century is needed for the vast majority of Muslims. As far as the Talib, their leaders need to meet their VIRGINS asap. So besides the 500, Pakistan should go after all their leaders and chop them off 1 by 1.
Israel needs to learn a quick lesson. When attacked, go for the kill. That will protect the next Israeli. Very sad to need to reach this point.
Hanging convicted terrorists prevents recidivism.
SHmuel HaLevi 2 Said:
SHmuel, could you expand upon precisely who are the “gangs” you refer to. There was some comments made to this effect within the past two months. I would like to learn more about this. They control government civil service, right? Are there any Israeli organizations or prominant individuals who are fighting this. Are there any MKs who are notable for NOT being part of this activity, if you know. Is Bennet part of this clique/gang, Netanyahu, Livni or are they ALL essentially cleared by the clique/gang before being allowed to take their seat in leadership. What about The Israeli Supreme Court, they would seem suspect to me, just based upon their “pro peace now agenda”.
Thank You. WM
That is the only way to deal with the Islamic beasts.
It will never happen here if the government remain in the hands of the same gangs that have been there for decades.