Daily Times

Sir: After the recent attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar, the Taliban have declared open war against the Pakistan army. The repercussions led to the lifting of the moratorium on the death sentence in Pakistan. However, the concerns that spring from the current chaotic security conditions of Pakistan have not only put a question mark on the past decision of suspending death sentences but also has questioned the wisdom behind the sudden lifting of the moratorium. A critical scrutiny of both the decisions is the need of the hour.

The US government has refrained from supporting or criticizing Pakistan’s decision and considered it an internal matter, whereas the human rights bodies, especially from Europe, have strongly condemned the implementation of capital punishment. Regarding enforcement of capital punishment, it is argued that unusual circumstances call for extraordinary measures, while the past decision of suspending the death penalty was based on a different context. The Supreme Court of Pakistan should intervene and ensure that justice is disseminated to all in society. Only time will tell which of the decisions pertaining to the death penalty is right. However, it is evident that Pakistan’s legal system needs immediate reformation. Justice should prevail and it should be ensured that no innocent is condemned and no murderer escapes.

RAMSHA JAVED

Lahore