Daily Times

Sir: I was shocked to read the plea Amnesty International was advancing against the reimposition of the death penalty, ie: ‘The right to life!’ In the same breath, they ignore the same rights of those unfortunate, innocent victims, to whom no mercy was accorded by the most violent and brutal killers.

It makes no sense for a poor developing country like ours to spend tens of millions of rupees on the lives of thousands of hardcore criminals in high-security prisons, food, clothing, medical care, etc, for decades, when our own law-abiding poor population is deprived of basics such as clean water, basic health facilities, schools and job opportunities.

The death penalty is still applied at places in rich western countries, which could afford to keep such prisoners for life. There is no need for us to follow the views of Amnesty International over and above our national interests.

Tariq Nazir Syed

Rawalpindi