ISLAMABAD: The European Union mission in Islamabad condemned on Wednesday Pakistan’s decision to restart executions in the wake of the country’s bloodiest-ever terrorist attack.

The decision came amid public outrage over a Taliban massacre at the Army Public School in Peshawar which killed 150 people, including 134 children.

The EU mission said in a statement it stood by Pakistan in its grief but remained opposed to capital punishment in all circumstances.

“We believe that the death penalty is not an effective tool in the fight against terrorism,” it said.

“The EU Delegation regrets the decision of the Government of Pakistan to lift the moratorium on executions ... (and) we hope that the moratorium will be re-established at the earliest.”

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2014

Opinion

Editorial

Weathering the storm
Updated 29 Apr, 2024

Weathering the storm

Let 2024 be the year when we all proactively ensure that our communities are safeguarded and that the future is secure against the inevitable next storm.
Afghan repatriation
29 Apr, 2024

Afghan repatriation

COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a...
Trying harder
29 Apr, 2024

Trying harder

IT is a relief that Pakistan managed to salvage some pride. Pakistan had taken the lead, then fell behind before...
Return to the helm
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.