LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Khwaja Muhammad Sharif on Monday issued an interim order restraining President Asif Zardari and Punjab Governor Salman Taseer from possible pardoning of blasphemy convict Aasia, a Christian woman who was sentenced to death.
Issuing notice to the respondents, the court also sought an explanation until December 6 regarding statements and announcements by Taseer and the representatives of the federation intending Aasia’s release by pardoning her death sentence through presidential orders.
The court passed the order on a petition filed by Shahid Siddiq submitting that Aasia’s appeal against her death sentence was pending in the LHC and the government was planning to grant a pardon to her on the pressure by foreign countries.
“According to Article 45, Aasia cannot be pardoned by the president because her case is sub-judice,” the counsel pleaded. The petitioner stated that Zardari did not have the authority to pardon those convicted of blasphemy.
The petitioner, represented by a seven-member panel of lawyers, prayed that the personal secretary to the governor be directed to explain under what authority of law the governor had given the statement declaring the convict innocent.
The petitioner also said an inquiry committee formed by the federal and provincial governments on the matter be declared illegal and their proceedings suspended.
After hearing the argument, the LHC chief justice issued a stay order against any such pardon observing that Aasia could not be released on presidential orders as her case was sub-judice in the LHC.
“After the LHC judgement on her appeal against the death sentence, she may move the Supreme Court per law of the land but until then she cannot be pardoned by the president,” the LHC chief justice said.
