A five-member delegation of European Union (EU) called on Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and urged him to use his good offices to stop the execution of Shafqat Hussain.
The EU delegation comprised of Consul General of France François DALL’ORSO, Consul General of Germany Dr Tilo KLINNER, British Deputy High Commissioner John Tucknott, Acting Consul General of Italy Giulio LAZEOLLA and Consul General of Switzerland Emil Wyss.
The delegation praised the former PPP government in the Centre which did not implement capital punishment during its entire tenure. They urged the Sindh chief minister to play his role to stop the execution of Shafqat Hussain. Since, the case of Shafqat Hussain did not fall into the ambit of terrorism, therefore, it might be treated separately because he was guilty of a murder case.
The chief minister told the delegation that under the constitution the powers to stop execution of Shafqat Hussain or of any other condemned prisoner were with the federal government. “The execution is due tomorrow morning and the time is very short to take up your (EU) concerns with the prime minister,” he said.
The delegation requested the chief minister to take up their request with the prime minister on an urgent basis. “We would appreciate your efforts which are bound to create the good will of Sindh government,” it said.
The chief minister assured the delegation that he would write a letter to the prime minister and send the same through fax.