2015-10-08 16:54:00

Pakistan court upholds death sentence on Punjab governor's killer


(Vatican Radio) Pakistan's Supreme Court Wednesday rejected an appeal by the killer of former Punjab governor Salman Taseer against the death sentence awarded to him by the trial court and maintained by the Islamabad High Court.

A former commando of the Punjab Police's Elite Force, convict Mumtaz Qadri killed Taseer in January 2011, in an upmarket locality of Islamabad for allegedly criticising the controversial blasphemy laws. He was arrested and tried by anti-terrorism court which awarded him death sentence same year. He then challenged the ruling in Islamabad High Court.

The Islamabad High Court earlier this year rejected Qadri's appeal against his death sentence under the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) but accepted his application to void the Anti-terrorism Act's (ATA). It was said at that time that he was not convicted under terrorism and thus he could not be hanged as government had only lifted moratorium on execution in cases of terrorism. However, in March, the execution of all convicts was announced.

Qadri made final appeal in the Supreme Court where a three-member bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa rejected his appeal and also rejected the Islamabad High Court decision to remove clauses of terrorism in the case. It means that he is now convicted under both the PPC and anti-terrorism laws. The court rejected the plea by Qadri's lawyer that blasphemy was a religious issue and anyone can take action if his religious sentiments were hurt.

Earlier on Monday, the Supreme Court has ruled that criticising Pakistan's blasphemy laws do not amount to committing blasphemy and that the entire defence of Qadri will be irrelevant if his lawyer failed to prove that Taseer committed blasphemy.

Taseer was shot dead after he criticised the blasphemy laws following a visit to Asia Bibi, a Christian women on death row for blasphemy — a charge she denies.

"Can the accused be given the right to judge on his own cause and commit murder in uniform of a person who was under his protection, especially when there is no evidence of him having committed blasphemy, save a few press clippings," Justice Dost Khosa said. In any democratic government, people have the right to criticize any law made by parliament, he said.

"Will it not instill fear in society if everybody starts taking the law in their own hands and dealing with sensitive matters such as blasphemy on their own rather than going to the courts," the judge said, according to local press.

Religious minorities in Pakistan have hailed a Supreme Court ruling. Father Emmanuel Yousuf, national director of the National Commission for Justice and Peace, a rights body of the Catholic Church in Pakistan, said it was good to see sense prevail.

"The law has taken its course and justice has been served. One who commits murder for whatever reason should be held accountable for his actions," he said. "Gov. Taseer always stood for what he thought was right. He was convinced Asia Bibi was innocent," he said. "The ruling has set a good precedent, but a notable change regarding the misuse of blasphemy laws will take place only if the government shows some resolve," Fr Yousuf added.

Christians in Pakistan say blasphemy laws are open to misuse and are often used to attack them through false allegations. "We respect every law. Our only contention has always been to prevent the misuse and abuse of blasphemy laws because once one is accused of blasphemy, it takes years for an acquittal," Fr Yousuf said. "Justice delayed is justice denied," he added.

Naveed Chaudhry, head of the Pakistan Minority Alliance, a political party representing minorities, also welcomed the Supreme Court ruling. "People who take the law into their own hands and carry out murders in the name of Islam will be discouraged by the ruling," he said.

"The dangerous trend of mob violence and a general sense of impunity witnessed in recent years against minorities on false allegations of blasphemy will only stop if such elements are brought to justice," he added. A lot needs to be done to promote tolerance and religious harmony in Pakistan, he said. Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic former federal minister, was also assassinated for speaking out against blasphemy, he noted.

 

Taseer's family also welcomed the judgment. "Landmark judgment by brave Justice Khosa. We have gutsy and honorable lawyers and judges in Pakistan," Shehrbano Taseer, a daughter of the slain governor, wrote on Twitter.

After the Supreme Court verdict, fate of Qadri has almost been sealed but he still has a thin ray of hope as he can file mercy appeal with the president of Pakistan. He would be hanged if the mercy appeal is rejected and the president is bound to take consent of the relatives of the victim before pardoning a killer.

Blasphemy is a sensitive issue in Pakistan, with even unproven allegations often triggering mob violence. The controversial law was introduced by former military dictator Zia-ul Haq in 1980s and so far hundreds of people have been charged under them.

(Source: Economic Times, UCANews)

 

 

 








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