Zainab murder case: Senate committee discuss issue of public hanging

ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice Wednesday discussed the issue of public hanging in the context of constitution and law of the country.

The meeting was chaired by Senator Javed Abbasi here at Parliament House.

Minister for Law, Secretary Law, Chairman Islamic Ideological Council and officials of different government departments attended the meeting.

The Senators considered the issue of amendment in Pakistan Penal Code.

Javed Abbasi said the committee would see whether there was a need to change the penal code in the presence of rules for public hanging.

Discussing the issue of Zainab murder case, he said there was a demand for hanging of killer of Zainab.

Javed Abbasi asked whether there was any hurdle in the public execution of the murderer of Zainab.

A Rehman Malik said Supreme Court had imposed restriction on public hanging.

He said the Supreme Court decision could not be violated by holding a public hanging.

Islamic Ideological Council had also opposed the public hanging, he added.

Chairman Islamic Ideological Council said the convict should be hanged inside the jail. Police officials also opposed public hanging.

The Punjab officials also said the scenes of hanging should not be shown on the media as it would have negative effect on the children.

Inspector General Jail Punjab said the public hanging could create law and order situation, adding public hanging was also a violation of international laws.

An official of Law Ministry said no action in violation of constitution of Pakistan should be taken.

The committee asked the Law Ministry to further brief it on the issue in a week.