KARACHI: An antiterrorism court is likely to issue a fresh black warrant for the execution of condemned prisoner Shafqat Hussain on Saturday.

He was condemned to death by an antiterrorism court in September 2004 as he was found guilty of killing a seven-year-old boy after kidnapping him for ransom from an apartment in New Town, where he worked as a security guard, in April 2004.

Know more: Mystery shrouds last-minute reprieve for Shafqat Hussain

The Sindh High Court upheld the death sentence in kidnapping for ransom and set aside the conviction in premeditated murder while the apex court had also dismissed his appeal and review petition in 2007. The president has dismissed his mercy petition in July 2012.

The jail authorities approached the trial court through an application before Ramazan for the issuance of fresh warrant for execution of condemned prisoner by submitting that the court issued last warrant on June 1 and fixed June 9 for hanging. However, the execution was postponed hours before the scheduled time, they added.

A court official said the application was not taken up since a moratorium was imposed on executions during the holy month, adding that the court is likely to issue a fresh warrant on Saturday.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2015

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