LAHORE: The HRCP has written to PM Nawaz Sharif to stay the execution of Abdul Basit, a paraplegic death-row prisoner detained in Faisalabad prison, after warrants were issued for him to be hanged on Nov 25.

In the letter, the HRCP chairperson noted that the prison authorities were still awaiting a response after writing to the federal government for guidance on how to proceed in the case.

Basit’s mercy petition is still pending and on Oct 15 a letter was forwarded to Basit’s counsel from the Presidency, which requested the interior ministry to consider the pending mercy petition, which it described as “self-explanatory”.

The HRCP chairperson said: “It is shocking that orders for Basit’s execution have been issued for a third time, despite the fact that concerns about the legality of his hanging remain as unsatisfied as ever and because he is simply not fit to be hanged.”

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2015