Summary The case is most high-profile execution case since the govt lifted a moratorium on death penalty.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk / AP) – The Supreme Court has rejected death row convict Shafqat Hussain’s appeal against Islamabad High Court (IHC) verdict regarding implementation of the death sentence awarded to him.
Shafqat Hussain, a death-row prisoner whose family says was just 14 years old when he was convicted of killing a 7-year-old.
A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk, heard the appeal today (Wednesday).
During the case proceedings, Justice Amir Hani Muslim remarked that how the administration can re-evaluate Shafqat Hussain’s age after the court s verdict.
Advocate Tariq Hussain argued that the matter is regarding basic rights and Hussain should be given reprieve under Article 45 and international laws.
Responding to which, the Chief Justice remarked that international laws should be kept aside, and the matter should be dealt with as per laws in Pakistan.
Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk stated the issue of Shafqat had been cleared by the courts and his mercy plea was rejected by the President as well.
He said that the Supreme Court does not want to interfere in the administrative matters of "any institution".
Legal proceedings end after the review petition is disposed of by the court, he added.
Hussain, the youngest of seven children, was working as a watchman in Karachi in 2004 when a seven-year-old boy went missing from the neighbourhood.
A few days later the boy s family received calls from Hussain s mobile phone demanding a ransom of half a million rupees ($8,500 at the time).
Hussain was arrested and admitted kidnapping and killing him but later withdrew his confession, saying he had made it under duress.
