Mumtaz Qadri’s case & Fear Factor

[pak-marine]

Qadri’s case
Editorial Updated about 6 hours ago

Mumtaz Qadri files appeal against death penalty

The evidence against Qadri, who openly confessed when charged with the gunning down in January that year of the Punjab governor, Salmaan Taseer, could not be more incontrovertible.

*Also read: [Blasphemy law claims another life][2*]

But, more than three years after a guilty verdict, the case is still pending due to the appeal against Qadri’s sentence. Qadri has, meanwhile, set himself up as a ‘religious’ figure, and there is evidence that he has radicalised others including prison staff.

Also read: Mumtaz Qadri, Prison King

Now, with another hearing scheduled before an Islamabad High Court division bench, it seems that the government is having difficulties getting a lawyer to agree to represent the prosecution.

Why this reluctance in what is an open-and-shut case? The reason is simple: fear. Lawyers contacted by this newspaper pointed out that hardly any special protection or security is provided to those who may find themselves in the crosshairs of criminals or extremists on agreeing to take flashpoint cases.

Also read: Govt lawyers not ready to prosecute Mumtaz Qadri

The special judge of the ATC that passed the sentence against Qadri had to leave the country for fear of his life, and at the last hearing of the Qadri case in 2011, large numbers of his supporters gathered outside the IHC.

The threat is real, and society’s tilt towards extreme views is palpable. If this is the situation in this case, the fear factor in others where the men accused belong to violent gangs or militant groups, or are hardened criminals, can only be imagined.

Pakistan’s situation demands effective provisions such as witness, lawyer and judge protection programmes, for those who prosecute or testify are in the end individuals. Without that, there is little hope of winning the long-term battle.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2015

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[syedali73]

This is one prime case that government needs to refer to the Military courts. There is simply no ambiguity that Qadri has committed a cold blood murder in the broad day light (it is not important who he killed and why) for which he must be hanged.

 

[pak-marine]

Our Judges and lawyers are a bunch of cowards ... If they cant do their job properly what are they getting paid for ? its a open and shut case there is a confession , video evidence why cant this monkey qadri be executed ?

 

[syedali73]

Our Judges and lawyers are a bunch of cowards ... If they cant do their job properly what are they getting paid for ? its a open and shut case there is a confession , video evidence why cant this monkey qadri be executed ?

For the same reason(s) why Solat Mirza could still not be hanged.

 

[Cheetah786]

Most of these lawyers were on the street showering this Monster with rose pedals, which Einstein thinks they will go up against him. This is a military court case.

 

[pak-marine]

For the same reason(s) why Solat Mirza could still not be hanged.

either way they are ineligible to do the job they are getting paid for and they should be fired Also should stop bragging about free judiciary .. as its not

 

[Cheetah786]

either way they are ineligible to do the job they are getting paid for and they should be fired Also should stop bragging about free judiciary .. as its not

Not all lawyers get paid by the state, but judges do, in this case the problem is finding a lawyer.

 

[Porus]

I always thought the loonies like Qadri considered "shahadat" the best way to put an end to their miserable lives. I also thought this looney must be dying to have a rendezvous with the prophet, then why does he want to spend more time in this world full of sin?