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KARACHI: The federal government on Monday postponed the execution of Saulat Mirza, an activist of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on death row, DawnNews reported.
The Sindh home department has received instructions from the federal government, which includes the postponement of Mirza’s execution, the channel reported.
Sources said that Mirza's death sentence was an issue for the MQM, who have expressed fears that political activists on death row could be executed by military courts.
The sources further stated that the decision to postpone the execution was taken by the govt to allay the MQM's fears on this issue.
Mirza was sentenced to death by an anti-terrorism court in May 1999 for murdering the managing director of then named Karachi Electric Supply Corporation Shahid Hamid, his driver Ashraf Brohi and guard Khan Akbar in July 1997.
He was moved along with four high-profile prisoners to the Machh jail, Balochistan, in April 2014.
Read also: Execution of six death warrants on the cards in Sindh
In May last year, Mirza’s brother petitioned the high court to move him to a Karachi prison.
He argued that his brother had been shifted to the Machh jail without the orders of the competent authority or any notification.
The petition had been disposed of by provincial authorities on the pretext of security reasons.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (110) Closed
Jan 05, 2015 09:49pm
But why? Any reason given by the government?
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Jan 05, 2015 09:56pm
What's wrong with federal govt? By supporting and favouring criminals, murderers, what she wants to show?
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Jan 05, 2015 10:01pm
Clear indication of PML-N and MQM supporting each other. he killed 3 people for God sake!
unless we change this behavior nothing will get done in Pakistan. no law or rule....
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Jan 05, 2015 10:03pm
Selective justice will only lead to bigger problems. Religious terrorists belonging to TTP or ethnic/political target killers, all must be treated as killers and hanged if the courts have made decisions.
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Jan 05, 2015 10:04pm
the agony the families of the deceased braved all these years to see the justice done. again postponed
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Jan 05, 2015 10:12pm
Justice??
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Jan 05, 2015 10:13pm
I do not support any political party for obvious reasons. Anyone, and I mean ANYONE who has been convicted of a crime must be punished with the maximum allowed within the law. That is the only way, we will get rid of these criminals. By the way, what happened to this guy called Jatoi who killed another young boy?. All of Pakistan is waiting to see this little criminal who happens to be son of a very rich PPP supporter, given the maximum poassible punishment allowed by the law.
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Jan 05, 2015 10:14pm
My God, our courts are real friends of criminals.
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Jan 05, 2015 10:16pm
Unfortunately justice in Pakistan is subjective, particularly in cases of political activities. I think Mr Mirza may be victim of such a scenario. People in such categories death sentences should be commuted to life imprisonment.
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Jan 05, 2015 10:32pm
Delay of execution due to political reasons. Why business does federal government have in requesting delay in execution? Why not also stay execution of other prisoners on death row?
Once again, law is not being applied equally for everyone in Pakistan. This is a fundamental problem of our society
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Jan 05, 2015 10:34pm
Finally, PM Sharif has blinkered.
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Jan 05, 2015 10:38pm
Justice delayed is justice denied. If Mirza has been convicted beyond any doubt then he should be hanged with any delay. MQM should not pressurise the government.
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Jan 05, 2015 10:41pm
Looks like a reward for MQM for voting in favor of Military courts bill. Meanwhile, Fazlu chickened out.
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Jan 05, 2015 10:41pm
Must be punished!
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Jan 05, 2015 10:43pm
Like we didnt see that coming?
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Jan 05, 2015 10:48pm
If this person is proved responsible for murder then should be punished.. Justice should not be selective.
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Jan 05, 2015 10:49pm
Why?
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Jan 05, 2015 10:52pm
On what grounds is his sentence delayed? This is precisely the problem in Pakistan. You can get away with any crime, no matter how heinous as long as you have some political pull or have money. If the man was fairly and under the law found guilty of the crime charged and a fair punishment under the law was imposed; then there is no reason to elongate his misery and continuing the miscarriage of justice.
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Jan 05, 2015 10:55pm
The case has been heard, he was given his day in court, was convicted and sentenced - it is not the Judge's problem any longer. The Judge delivered. The administration are not doing their job.
But he is imprisoned in Baluchistan, not even in Sindh; why are they delaying the sentence?
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Jan 05, 2015 10:55pm
Clearly! staying in power is a top priority of federal govt. even if it takes protecting a killer. what a joke to the nation
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Jan 05, 2015 11:02pm
otherwise MQM will not vote for the amendment tomorrow. Doctrine of necessity - a principle whereby a normally criminal act is justified by the necessity of preserving something of greater utilitarian value than that lost or sacrificed.
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Jan 05, 2015 11:08pm
@Asad , not so hard to understand why, Karachi will be burning within minutes.
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Jan 05, 2015 11:14pm
and for what? Justice must be done at all cost. Justice delayed in like justice denied. Criminal Justice system should be same for all whether it is me or you.
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Jan 05, 2015 11:16pm
Could it be to appease MQMs reservations regarding military courts based on their experience in the 90s. Its been proven most of those cases were fabricated.
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Jan 05, 2015 11:25pm
May be MQM is pressuring the federal govt. No need . he should be hanged if that is what is required. he killed innocent people.
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Jan 05, 2015 11:36pm
True face of Pakistan. Shameless and spineless leaders; rather so called leaders. Selfish motives and self centered actions define them. Pakistan has hopeless state of affairs.
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Jan 05, 2015 11:46pm
Favoritism ! Treat all criminals alike.
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Jan 05, 2015 11:46pm
this is why people say 'Go Nawaz Go' he is hurdle in fair justice
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Jan 05, 2015 11:52pm
Justice delayed justice denied. Why his execution postponed? Criminals must be hanged without any distinction. For God sake, do justice without any further delays.
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Jan 05, 2015 11:53pm
Justice delayed for 16 years. Astonishing system
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Jan 06, 2015 12:18am
Irrespective of his affiliation with any political party, if he is proved guilty must be punished under the law of the land.
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Jan 06, 2015 12:23am
This guy is a murderer.
I don't care whether he belongs to MQM or any other party. He must be made an example of.
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Jan 06, 2015 12:36am
now that's nepotism, if we do we criminal if you do you are clean as hounds tooth, as my uncle say beta hakumat nahi hai khel hai bas ye log apas mein kheltay rehtay hein
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Jan 06, 2015 12:52am
That is what we were afraid of , selective execution so under the pressure from MQM. federal government of Nawaz Sharif caved in.Saulat Mirza murdered director of KES, his driver and a body guard. What is the difference between him and other terrorists? He is a typical target killer, only difference, he is an activist of MQM.
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Jan 06, 2015 12:57am
Nawaz Sharif thinks that convicted murderer is innocent. Too funny.
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Jan 06, 2015 12:58am
Obviously, there is no armed wing of A political party. Any word "Interior Minister"?
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Jan 06, 2015 01:02am
Such exceptions are going to be made b the "Hakim-e-waqt", of course the rulers have to oblige each other. Today it is an MQM terrorist, tomorrow it may be their own, therefore a precedent has to be set by the rulers. Nothing is going to change so people stop complaining.
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Jan 06, 2015 01:04am
is this how impartial Justice done?? free all then, why hanging the rest??
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Jan 06, 2015 01:08am
He should be punished
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Jan 06, 2015 01:10am
He is not a political activist, he is a terrorist and a murderer.
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Jan 06, 2015 01:10am
So only those are terrorist who got beard and worthy of gallows? This is sending a very wrong signal and setting a very dangerous trend. This will give so called talibans further ammunition against state of Pakistan and they can argue that Pakistan only hand those who are deemed, religious. Hang them all, regardless, killer of one man is also a terrorist.
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Jan 06, 2015 01:25am
@Jhang This is not court but govt directives
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Jan 06, 2015 01:34am
Double standard.
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Jan 06, 2015 01:52am
WHY ??????????????????
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Jan 06, 2015 02:14am
A murderer is a Murderer, whether terrorist or otherwise !
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Jan 06, 2015 02:30am
Can someone inform general Sharif.
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Jan 06, 2015 02:35am
@Asad Armed Forces of Pakistan has given surety that they will not touch the political workers.
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Jan 06, 2015 02:43am
@Jhang Courts have ordered him to be hanged. It is the federal government, that is, Nawaz who has postponed his execution. Please read the article before commenting on it.
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Jan 06, 2015 02:57am
This is what is wrong with Nawaz Sharif he is playing favorites. If he was found Guilty then why is he not being executed?
PML-N is currying MQM's favor to staying in Power. This is a shame and the Army should takwe notice. This guy is a MQM HIT man and should be hanged.
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Jan 06, 2015 03:33am
@Khalid you asked "what happened to this guy called Jatoi who killed another young boy?" Where have you been dude? This case was closed a long time ago when the criminal's dad settled with the victim's family to buy his son's release. But we still dont know exactly how that happened; probably with money or threats or both.
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Jan 06, 2015 03:47am
If you listen to his interview you would realize what a cold blooded target killer he was with absolutely no regard for the sanctity of life.
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Jan 06, 2015 03:59am
Is it not that the Government is creating impunity in the case of Saulat Mirza? If that be the attitude, all anti terrorism measures including establishment of military courts are doomed.
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Jan 06, 2015 04:04am
This is start of horse trading, political accommodation and looking other way when hard decisions are to be made. Isn't he guilty beyond any doubt. Than why this favor business.
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Jan 06, 2015 04:05am
So, does this mean that only people with beard or the ones associated with any madrasah are terrorists? If a murderer, sentenced to death, has a political affiliation, is he not a terrorist? he can be pardoned? What kind of justice is this? What a shame!
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Jan 06, 2015 04:14am
How does the government then justify not postponing executions of all the other criminals?
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Jan 06, 2015 04:18am
Well done Prime Minister,keep it up
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Jan 06, 2015 04:23am
Shame on our Prime Minister who is obstructing the course of justice. He doesn't care about the sentiments of populace, he is more worried about the MQM's political backing of his incompetent government.
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Jan 06, 2015 04:41am
It looks like only culprits involved with assassination attempt to former dictator or military installations will to gallows.
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Jan 06, 2015 05:35am
All death row decisions are being reversed in the civil courts without any due legal process. All cases should be transferred to the military courts for implementation of the court rulings. There is no place in Pakistan for law abiding citizens and victims of these criminals.
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Jan 06, 2015 06:14am
You got to be kidding me. He killed 3 people. Regardless of political affiliations he is a killer (cold blooded murderer) If you start making these exemptions this will never end. Hang him and hang him in public. No excuse for an excuse. Nawaz Sharif have the balls carry out this execution and maintain a zero tolerance towards such brutalities and I guarantee you will win elections in Karachi. Karachities don't care about MQM or JI or PTI or PMLN, whoever guarantees protection will win.
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Jan 06, 2015 06:16am
@malik Are you serious?
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Jan 06, 2015 06:18am
@Dr. Sadaf Let it burn, it is burning otherwise. When Bhutto was being hanged people had said the same thing. Tough decisions have to be made.
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Jan 06, 2015 06:36am
Why is a big question mark. Justice cannot be done on selective basis.
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Jan 06, 2015 06:47am
It is not about court (military or civil) it's about justice - which should be same for all
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Jan 06, 2015 07:16am
He even dont seem to be in Jail at all. NADRA's ex Head tweeted last week that at one time 40% of Karachi prisoners were replaced with fake people when NADRA checked it. Given this condition I have no doubt that possibly a mental patient will be executed for him.
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Jan 06, 2015 07:20am
Did Saulat Mirza ever give any reasons why he murdered three persons? Does anyone else know?
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Jan 06, 2015 07:50am
@Khan My sentiment exactly. A party member, yes. Activist, no. Activists strive for their cause peacefully, not by murdering people.
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Jan 06, 2015 08:01am
@jjsyed
Haven't you heard? They are all on the same page. Isn't it something for all of us to rejoice?
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Jan 06, 2015 08:07am
Here law is different for different class of people
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Jan 06, 2015 08:08am
@malik
He will keep up all the rhetorics with a very innocent face. Why the media does'nt grill him on such issue in his press conferences? We are a nation of hypocrites.
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Jan 06, 2015 08:09am
delay to execute criminals, indicate toward unjustice.
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Jan 06, 2015 08:10am
@Warrior Bin Qasim
For sure - quid pro quo.
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Jan 06, 2015 08:27am
@Shafique
A line from Shakespeare's " Julius Caesar ", slightly amended to reflect the present times in Pakistan :
For NS is an honourable man.
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Jan 06, 2015 08:31am
@Tariq
Mr. Aitezaz Ahsan may like to comment if this is as per constitution?
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Jan 06, 2015 08:42am
Ashamed of you Govt.
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Jan 06, 2015 08:51am
@Ali
Justice will continue to be delayed till the nation runs out of patience for its selective dispensation.
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Jan 06, 2015 09:08am
@Khalid They have given 40.0 Crores to the family of Shahzaib and they have moved to Australia.
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Jan 06, 2015 09:09am
@Jhang This is nothing to courts, courts have done their job, this is between so called Sharif and MQM.
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Jan 06, 2015 09:11am
is this PM justice?
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Jan 06, 2015 09:11am
@Dr. Sadaf I agree with you Dr. Sadaf, Scotland Yard arrested Altaf so called Bhai in London, but the whole Karachites faced troubles.
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Jan 06, 2015 09:24am
@GKBaloch Since I read this, by blood is boiling with anger, it is really shame that convicted target killer who killed three innocent humans, is still living in this world.
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Jan 06, 2015 09:27am
@Asad
Kings don't have to give reasons for their actions. They do what they want to do. And Mr.Aitezaz Ahsan has the audacity to talk about the constitution.
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Jan 06, 2015 09:28am
@Asad
we are slaves of the west. we do what they want. whosoever serves their interest he is saved and who do not he is executed, killed in custody or disappeared.
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Jan 06, 2015 09:44am
@Adeel
to appease indiginous and foreign allies criminal like rapists of minor/killers,ransom kidnapers and other hinous criminal are spared. this discrimination will further create anarchy and frustation in the public
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Jan 06, 2015 09:47am
@Muhammad Adnan discriminatory justice is never fruitful
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Jan 06, 2015 09:59am
@Ali might is right. jungles law
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Jan 06, 2015 10:08am
@GKBaloch
to add to your comment. they are loyal to US not pakistan. thats why they are encouraged.
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Jan 06, 2015 10:14am
@Taimoor killer of one person is killer of the humanity as a whole
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Jan 06, 2015 10:15am
@Liaquat Syed and govt recieves her directive from foreign bosses
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Jan 06, 2015 10:16am
@Mohsin of course
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Jan 06, 2015 10:19am
@ali he knows.everyone has a boss and he also
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Jan 06, 2015 10:25am
@Khwaja do you remember 12 may. is it political party. its dissidents are either killed, exiled or imprisoned and their houses demolished
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Jan 06, 2015 10:33am
@TMM its true
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Jan 06, 2015 11:18am
He should be hanged without any prejudice.
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Jan 06, 2015 11:19am
He is murderer of three innocent human beings, he should be hanged, and justice should be served to the families of deceased.
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Jan 06, 2015 11:51am
Pakistan Judicial System is inspired from PTV drama Serial Ba'Adab Ba'Mulahiza Hoooshar.
Famous dialogue "INSAAF HOGA ZAROOOR HOGAAA".
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Jan 06, 2015 12:43pm
Pakistani electronic media will never discuss issue.
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Jan 06, 2015 05:05pm
Please hang him till death :-)
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Jan 07, 2015 02:58am
I m not voter but strong supporter of MQM n Altaf hussain .... But any one who is prooved in court the true crimininal should punish acc to crime .. Above all political and religious support, justice should uniform for every one
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Jan 07, 2015 10:37am
@sameer their offices will be raided or anchors will be killed
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Jan 07, 2015 11:07am
Saulat Mirza's execution had nothing to do with the establishment of military courts. He was sentenced by an ATC and was in the death row awaiting execution. Now that the "illegal" moratorium has been done away with, he should be executed for murdering Shahid Hamid, who was the MD KESC at the time. The law should be applied across the board. Any kind of discriminatory policy will result in complete failure of our determination to fight our WAR AGAINST TERRORISM !
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Jan 07, 2015 11:18am
Well, PML-N Government should read all of the comments here-they will find out that the people have spoken. This guy is not a political activist; he is a killer of three innocent people-purely and simply a terrorist. He was accorded due process of the law and convicted by the courts. The Government should not play politics here- instead it should do justice to the loved ones of the deceased and carry out the orders of the court.
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Jan 07, 2015 11:38am
@iftikhar I totally agree with you, but if they are not able to speak truth then they should be in different field, this is the true job of media to convey truth to the people. I was reading other news paper, where it is mentioned that he has confessed that he has killed so many innocent people, and even from jail he was running target killing business.
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Jan 07, 2015 11:46am
such a shame to our govt and military regime. they only hang people who dont have any political or external pressure. otherwise if they do have the guts hang all the political backed murderes and criminals who are living in a lavish life in our prisons...!
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Jan 07, 2015 12:51pm
@Khalid
Sorry Khalid Shahib it would never happen in current system.Powerful and rich are beyond any laws. There is always clause embedded in law to keep them out being roped.
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Jan 07, 2015 03:28pm
@Dr. Sadaf
If justice is not dispensed because of the danger of "Karachi burning" then it is a concession to thugs and murderers. I would notcare if whole of the country burns for the sake of justice.
Figuratively speaking, justice is far more important than pleasing the thuggish politicians pleasure.
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Jan 07, 2015 03:53pm
@Yawar , with lots of money and Australian immigration. Everything is for sale.
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Jan 07, 2015 07:00pm
Every body please note that this is Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Otherwise known as land of pure.
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Jan 07, 2015 07:57pm
Wish along with him they would hang those who paid him to do target killing.
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Jan 08, 2015 05:24am
@ASHFAQ ALI Oh my god. why this is not a news?
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