SHC suspends black warrants of two inmates

By
AFP
|
SHC suspends black warrants of two inmates
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday suspended the black warrants of two inmates citing that the proper legal procedure was not followed.

The suspension of the warrants came after the SHC heard appeals filed by the families of these inmates.

The appeals were filed by the families of Muhammad Azam and Ataullah alias Abdullah of banned organisations to have their black warrants suspended.
The appeals were heard by a bench headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar. The Advocate General Sindh and Superintendent appeared during proceedings.

Justice Ali asked Superintendent Sindh if he was aware of changes made in the death penalty laws, adding that if he was aware the date of the execution is set seven days after the black warrant is issued. Justice Ali asked since the black warrant was issued on 18 December, how was the date set for 23 December when it should have been 26 December.

Justice Ali remarked that the government itself was making a mockery of the law and should follow the law not its will.

The lawyer for the families argued that a second review petition had been filed in the Supreme Court after all death penalty pleas had been dismissed. He added that by issuing the warrants the anti-terrorism court had ignored the review petition pending in the Supreme Court.

The appeals called for the warrants to be suspended until the Supreme Court reaches a decision on the review petition.

The court has stated that fresh black warrants of these inmates should be issued in accordance with the law.

LHC suspends death sentences of five terrorists

The Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) suspended the death sentences of five civilians who were to be executed at the Kot Lakhpat Jail.

The lawyer for the convicts had filed a case against civilians being sentenced by a military court. He stated that the five civilians were not aware of the charges against, adding that their death warrants were issued by General Raheel Sharif.