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LHC stays execution

Recorder Report

LAHORE: A division bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday stayed the execution of Waris Ali, who was to be hanged on March 28, and issued notice to the respondent government for April 4.

The court passed these orders on a petition filed by M. D. Tahir advocate, who approached the august court against the execution of Waris Ali, who sought his help as he had no heirs.

The petitioner had visited the district jail Faisalabad under the directions of the court and met Waris Ali in the death cell, who informed him that execution of his co-accused had been stayed by the President of Pakistan for three weeks due to efforts of his relative.

The petitioner approached the court and Chief Justice fixed the case for April 28, but he appeared before another bench and contended that on April 28, Waris will be hanged. The Chief Justice therefore referred his petition before a division bench headed by Justice Falek Sher. Petitioner attended the court, but when he was arguing the case one of the members of the bench informed him that his petition was not before them hence they could not pass any orders.

The petitioner again approached the Chief Justice who again fixed the case to another bench headed by Justice Malik Muhammad Qayyum.

The petitioner contended before the court that his client is facing discrimination as his co-accused was facing same conviction but his execution has been stayed. He said this is against Article 25 of the Constitution and prayed to the court to stay the execution of Waris Ali.

The court after hearing the petitioner in detail stayed the execution and issued notice for April 4.