Legal experts are divided over the government's decision to convert capital punishment into life imprisonment to facilitate extradition of Pakistani nationals living abroad, particularly in European countries, and facing serious charges in Pakistan.
Talking to Business Recorder on telephone, senior Supreme Court lawyer Wasim Sajjad said that it would be a step forward in the right direction as majority of European countries do not extradite those facing cases in their countries fearing they may face the death sentence.
"If the government waives the condition of capital punishment, it will succeed in extraditing those who have taken asylum abroad, especially in European countries," he added.
Kamran Murtaza, vice chairman Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) said that the government can not decide on behalf of those aggrieved as there are issues of 'qisas and diyat' in murder cases.
"How can you abolish the death penalty if someone is awarded death sentence and their relatives refuse blood money," he questioned. He further stated that the proposed amendment will be challenged in the court as there are legal complications which may be struck down by the superior judiciary.
The Federal Cabinet has accorded its approval to amend Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) for the extradition of Pakistani citizens living abroad, especially in European Countries, and wanted in Pakistan.
Briefing the media in Islamabad following a meeting of the Federal Cabinet, the Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said that the legislation would facilitate the extradition of people like Altaf Hussain, Ishaq Dar, Hussain Nawaz, and Hassan Nawaz, the sons of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
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