Asma opposes execution of paraplegic patient

E-Paper | April 30, 2026

LAHORE: Rights activist Asma Jahangir has said executing a paraplegic, Abdul Basit, will be an inhuman act.

In a statement, she said 43-year-old Basit was likely to be executed in Faisalabad soon. He is paralysed down the waist and is on a wheelchair. His mother Parveen said she saw scars from ropes on Basit’s wrists when she met him recently.

Asma strongly condemned this act of officials and said civilised societies should treat a patient like a patient should be treated. “Basit is paralysed and officials should stop torturing him inside the jail. The decision to execute him should also be suspended, she demanded.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2015

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Humayun

Nov 23, 2015 10:23am

I don't get it as to why special accommodations should be made for disabled people when they have committed the same act of crime.

Recommend 0

khanm

Nov 23, 2015 10:24am

If he did a heinous crime he should pay for his act..What happened to his humanity when he did the crime... he looses it and becomes an animal...

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Faheem

Nov 23, 2015 10:30am

DAWN should also detail some brief of the crime in which he is convicted and being executed so that the viewer gets idea on the matter.

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Batul Ali

Nov 23, 2015 11:04am

Execution of a paraplegic is inhuman. The death sentence should be commuted to life imprisonment.

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Salih

Nov 23, 2015 11:14am

The only time in my life i agree with this LADY, subject to authenticity of the medical report of AbdulBasit.

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Philosopher (from Japan)

Nov 23, 2015 11:23am

I support her 100 percent on this issue.

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Amin

Nov 23, 2015 11:33am

Did she ever object to the kidnap and extradition of Dr Afia or the burning alive of the Burmese Muslims or daily massacre of the Palestinians?

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Akram Javed Kayani

Nov 23, 2015 12:55pm

Whats the background. What did he do? How and when did he became paralyzed from the waste down?

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m m amin

Nov 23, 2015 02:28pm

Under the prevailent law reprieve/pardon is possible only by voluntary consent of the aggrieved party . Since the matter became a public controversy has anyone taken it up with the aggrieved? The blood money could be easily raised by a public appeal .

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Asif

Nov 23, 2015 02:39pm

No matter what he has done in past but executing a paralyzed person is insane. No sure why people in this country enjoy killing people so much.

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Saeed Masood

Nov 23, 2015 06:39pm

Did he kill someone did he murder...if yes...he must face the law...

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Nov 24, 2015 03:47pm

@Humayun Coz he lost his legs due to the government. Enough punishment for him.

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