- FO spokeswoman says Pakistan violated no international law by awarding death penalty
Pakistan on Thursday clarified that it did not violate any international law by implementing capital punishment in a very serious security situation prevailing in the country.
A spokesperson of the European Union (EU) had said on Wednesday that the government of Pakistan should halt all executions as capital punishment violates international law and basic human rights.
Addressing Foreign Office’s weekly press briefing, spokeswoman Tasneem Aslam referred to Article 6 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) saying that Pakistan is under obligation to protect citizen’s right to life by law.
ICCPR’s Article 6 reads that every human being has the inherent right to life. “This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life.”
After referring to the section of international law, FO spokeswoman said that the death sentence in Pakistan is under a law and “we respect values system of others and other should respect ours”.
To a question, the spokeswoman said that she was not expecting death penalties to be withdrawn in Pakistan and consultation with EU over the issue is going on. “They are fully aware of reason behind it, and we have told them that no international law is going to be violated by the death penalty in Pakistan,” she said, adding that it would not affect the issue of GSP Plus.
To a question on Afghan reconciliation, she said it is vital for peace in the country and the region and Pakistan has welcomed the renewed process between Afghan Taliban and the government in Kabul. “We support Afghan-owned and Afghan-led reconciliation process,” she added.
On allegations regarding Mumbai attacks alleged mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi’s case, she said that the reason for delay in the case was that evidences were lying in another country. She also said that the case of people involved in Samjhotha Express case was also delayed in India.