RAWALPINDI: The execution of a convicted mass murderer has been deferred, while another convicted murderer will be executed at the Central Jail Adiala on Thursday morning, jail authorities have said.

Retired Capt Zaffar Iqbal was awarded the death sentence for killing 11 members of a family in the Ayya Mohallah in Rawalpindi and Sangori village in Mandra on Jan 10, 1994.

He was scheduled to be hanged at Adiala Jail on Thursday, April 14.

Iqbal’s execution has been delayed until April 17, as negotiations between the victim’s relatives and the convict’s for a settlement are ongoing.

The convict’s review petition was rejected by a three member Supreme Court bench in 2008, and his mercy appeal was also rejected by the president. After his mercy appeal was rejected, his relatives were directed to hold their last meeting with Iqbal as his execution was scheduled for Thursday.

Iqbal killed six members of Capt Sarwar Shaheed’s family in Rawalpindi, and then travelled to the Sangori village where he killed another five members of the family.

The Anti-Terrorism (ATC) sentenced him to death, and the Lahore High Court (LHC) later maintained the ATC’s order.

Separately, Mohammad Javaid, a resident of Chontra who was convicted in a murder case will be executed at Adiala Jail. After his death warrants were issued by the relevant court, his relatives held their last meeting with him at the prison on Wednesday.

Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2016