In recent days, some media commentary has incorrectly suggested that the government of Pakistan has imposed the moratorium on death out of economic concerns rather than those related to human rights.

Some articles in the press reported that abolishing the death penalty was required to get the GSP-Plus status from the European Union in 2014.

GSP-plus is a special status granted by the EU for enhanced import incentives. Even India has withdrawn its objection over granting the status to Pakistan, which would help boost textile exports from Pakistan to EU nations.

The press was not the only one at fault – even the government added to the ambiguity. The Foreign Office wrote to the interior ministry that abolishing the death penalty was required to get the GSP-Plus status.

Incidentally, and to the ignorance of the FO, the EU ambassador to Pakistan, Lars Gunnar Wigemark has categorically stated that abolishing or implementing the death penalty had nothing to do with the GSP-Plus status.

An official of the Commerce ministry also confirmed that there were no EU restrictions on executions to get the GSP-Plus.The spokesman of the interior ministry, Umar Hameed, further explained that the EU requirements over death penalty do not apply to four categories – those accused of acts against military, religion, terrorism and those accused of treason.

The former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Justice (retired) Tariq Mehmood, seemed to agree with the interior ministry’s statement. He said both the EU and the interior ministry were, at least for now, at the same page.

However, the lack of information has provoked some to allege that the moratorium was re-imposed because of the threat issued by the extremist groups.

The TTP-Punjab, which is closely linked to Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, issued an open threat to the PML-N and the Punjab government if the death sentences were carried out. Some have alleged that this caused the government to back down.

However, this is not to say that other, more legitimate groups have also not campaigned against the capital punishment – human rights groups for long have demanded that capital punishment be abolished, a demand that this paper supports.

However, the lack of clarity remains about the current move – and officials add to the confusion.

The Interior Ministry spokesman Umar Hameed claimed that the ‘stay’ has been granted by the federal government on executions due to the ‘lack of conferment’ between the prime minister and the president.

In other words, he hinted that the moratorium could be lifted in the future.