IHC extends interim order on stay on execution of five ex-naval officers’ death penalty

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court extended the interim stay order with regard to execution of the death sentence handed down to five ex-Navy personnel through the court martial till the next date of hearing.

Justice Babar Sattar of the IHC observed that explaining why death punishment was awarded is not a secret issue.Col (retd) Inam-ur-Rahim advocate appeared before the court on behalf of the petitioners -- Arslan Nazir Sati, Mohammad Hammad, Mohammad Tahir Rashid, Hammad Ahmed Khan and Irfanullah. The representative of the Pakistan Navy submitted the report in the court in which it was stated that the proceedings of the court martial cannot be shared.

Justice Babar Sattar inquired the Navy representative whether he wanted him to pass an order. During the hearing, the representative of the Pakistan Navy sought time from the court to seek instructions from the relevant authorities.

Justice Babar Sattar observed that the law officer was not giving any reasons why the death penalty was awarded by the military court. He said explaining why the death penalty was issued was not a secret issue.

The court observed that the only question was why the death penalty was awarded to the petitioners, and directing that the reasons for awarding death penalty be submitted before the court.

The court granted the request of the representative of the Pakistan Navy who sought time to seek instructions from the relevant authorities about the court query. The court in the meantime extended the interim stay order with regard to the execution of the death sentence of the ex-Navy personnel till the next hearing.

The petitioners submitted that they were awarded death penalty by the court martial, but they were not provided the assistance of the lawyer. They submitted that evidence and the relevant documents were not shared with them during the trial proceedings. They submitted that an appeal was filed against the death sentence without access to these documents, which was dismissed.