KARACHI: A 5-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 execution of Shafqat Hussain who had been convicted death sentence by court of law and is Scheduled to be executed on June 9, 2015 (tomorrow).
The EU delegation comprised of Consul General of France, Mr François Dall’orso, Consul General of Germany Dr Tilo Klinner, British Deputy High Commissioner Mr John Tucknott, Acting Consul General of Italy Mr Giulio Lazeolla and Consul General of Switzerland Mr 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 in 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 urgent basis. “We would appreciate your efforts which are bound to create the good will of Sindh government, ” he said. The chief minister assured the delegation that he would convey their concern to the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
