Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
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Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) – The Pakistani Senate has approved a bill abolishing the death penalty for two crimes: assault and public spoliation of a woman; and aiding the hijacking of an airplane or other public vehicle. According to the bill, for these crimes (Articles 354, paragraph a, and 402 c of the Penal Code), offenders risk fines and up to life imprisonment. Although the bill must be approved by the House of Representatives and signed by the President before entering into force, it was presented by the government majority and, according to analysts, therefore has every chance of being passed. Pakistan’s executive branch, explained Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, intends to align itself with international human rights standards also set out in the trade agreement with the European Union (the so-called GSP+), which explicitly requires limiting the death penalty to the most serious crimes.In Pakistan, the death penalty is currently in force for a wide range of offenses considered “serious crimes,” such as: crimes against the state and high treason; military offenses such as mutiny and misconduct in combat; violent crimes such as murder, robbery, rape, and gang rape; kidnapping for ransom; terrorism, sabotage, and hijacking.For the crime of violence and public insult to a woman (Article 354a), the death penalty was introduced by General Zia ul-Haq, who in 1977 orchestrated a coup d’état and seized power in Pakistan. Originally, this offense carried a maximum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment. However, for the crime of hijacking, legislators wanted to reduce the penalty for those who harbored a hijacker. The government, Minister Tarar explained, intends to review other non-violent offenses punishable by death.In this context, Father Qaisar Feroz OFM Cap, executive secretary of the Commission for Social Communications of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference, commented in an interview with Fides: “The fact that we are moving towards the gradual abolition of the death penalty for less serious crimes is certainly a positive step.” To this end, the structure of the blasphemy law should also be examined. Indeed, the Capuchin friar points out, “this law was also amended by General Zia in the 1980s. If we are to comply with international standards regarding respect for human rights, the death penalty for this offense should be abolished.”Furthermore, Father Feroz continues, “it must be considered that, according to common experience and a generally shared opinion, this law is a sword of Damocles that is being exploited and used against members of minority religious communities and even against Muslim citizens.” The secretary states: “Christian lawyers and members of Parliament should also reflect on this dark chapter in Pakistan’s history of respect for human rights, which has caused suffering to many innocent people. If international and commercial pressures have now led to the revision of the death penalty for certain crimes, we call on the government and Parliament to seriously reflect on the blasphemy law as well.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 23/7/2025)
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