This is a commendable gesture. Compassion is also an important part of our faith and religion which sadly does not come across in how many self-styled islamists behave these days. Those who have committed the most heinous crimes such as rape and murder though deserve to ‘sarr’ in jail for the rest of their lives. Although Mush has the final say on this, he is expected to approve this move.
So does this mean now Sarabjeet is going to be ‘chakki peesing & peesing & peesing’ in jail all his life? Better than facing the gallows surely.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\06\22\story_22-6-2008_pg1_1
** Gilani says he has directed Interior Ministry to forward summary to Musharraf *
** Announces 90-day remission for prisoners*
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani unveiled plans on Saturday to commute the death sentences of prisoners to a sentence of life imprisonment, as the National Assembly marked the 55th birth anniversary of slain Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairwoman Benazir Bhutto.
Though Gilani does not have the authority to directly commute the sentences, he said he would forward a recommendation to empty death row to President Pervez Musharraf, who is expected to approve it.
“I have directed the Interior Ministry to move a summary to the president for converting the death sentence into a sentence of life imprisonment,” he said.
Paying tribute to Benazir, Gilani said a remission of 90 days would be given to all prisoners except those involved in the most serious crimes. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has estimated that about 7,000 prisoners are awaiting execution.
Gilani said the act of mercy would be a “big gift to the nation”. In their brief speeches, members from all political parties paid tribute to the former premier for her tremendous services.