Re: MQM’s Saulat Mirza is set to be executed on Mar. 19th - Postponed [UPDATED]
I do think Saulat’s confessional statements hold legal value. There are cases where people are condemned for life based on confessional statements and testimonies (even by accomplices). The only problem is the accused is an absconder who is already a convicted murderer as per the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The real test is to see the Pakistani Government take this up with Britain and extradite this criminal. I used to think maybe politics of goodwill where certain things are let go (as Imran Khan once said, well left to a question where one of his supporters snubbed him on his change of stance against AH), but when dealing with the MQM there should be no goodwill and Altaf should be executed if the opportunity arises (Rahman Malik should be given a life sentence for his role here). MQM was the biggest instigator and factor responsible for the short stints of failed democracies in the 90s and were clearly working on an anti-Pakistani agenda. Yes, there image shifted somewhat when they were in power during the dictatorship of Musharraf because they were not only free to loot, murder, extort with no checks but also went from being just a bunch of bhatta collecting extortionists to high level embezzlers with representation in ministries. Remember, Saulat has been behind bars since the late 90s, there are many many more Saulats who committed grave and heinous murders on the orders of Altaf Hussain after him and remain at large. Although I do see that the Pak Army and the Government have learnt their lesson somewhat, the real litmus test would be their sincerety in extraditing Altaf and bringing him to the gallows!
Everyone should pay for their crimes. No goodwill politics where altaf or mqm goes to prison while I am assuming taliban (imran is mentioned) are ‘pardoned’ again and again.
This not only sets a bad precedence where everyone wants a favor, but it also causes needless divisions in the country.