ISLAMABAD: Islamabad has completely lifted its moratorium on the death penalty in all capital cases, officials said. Prisoners who have exhausted all avenues of appeal and clemency will be sent to the gallows, according to a senior interior ministry official.
Pakistan has hanged 24 convicts since it partially lifted its death sentence moratorium in December after Taliban militants gunned down more than 100 schoolchildren.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had ordered a moratorium on the death penalty to be lifted for terror-related cases that was in place since 2008. The partial lifting of the moratorium only applied to those convicted of terrorism offences, but officials said it has now been extended.
“The interior ministry has directed the provincial home departments to expedite the executions of all condemned prisoners whose mercy petitions have been rejected by the president, news agency AFP quoted a senior interior ministry official.
This development means, that nearly 1,000 prisoners on death row stand to be executed in the coming weeks.
Pakistan had not executed a single civilian since 2008. However, a soldier convicted by a court martial and hanged in November 2012.
Many supporters of the death penalty in the country argue that it is the only effective way to deal with the scourge of militancy.
Human rights organisations around the world have been highly critical of the resumption of executions. Amnesty International estimates that there are more than 8,000 prisoners on death row, most of whom have exhausted the appeals process.
Amnesty International termed the measure as draconian and repressive tactic to counter terrorism.
Pakistan in December suffered its worst ever terrorist attack when seven members of the Pakistan Taliban wearing suicide vests scaled an army school wall before opening fire on students and teachers killing 141 mostly schoolchildren.
The event even by Pakistans troubled past stood out in stark contrast and drew universal condemnation from countries and organisations around the world.