The Shafqat case

This refers to the letters, ‘#SaveShafqat’ (March 20) by Shafique Kandhro and ‘Hungry for blood’ (March 21) by Muhammad Yasir Kayani. Both the writers have quoted chapter and verse to spare the life of a so-called ‘juvenile’ killer who allegedly kidnapped and killed a helpless seven-year-old boy a decade ago. As news reports point out, the killer was around 23 years of age at the time of the offense so how can he be described as a juvenile? In any case a medical board should help settle the matter.
As for the killer suffering 11 miserable years in jail how about the unfortunate mother of the murdered child? Did she spend her time in supreme bliss? It would do a world of good to the cause of justice and humanity at large if the bleeding heart brigade puts itself in the victims’ shoes instead of sermonising and advancing all kinds of convoluted arguments about why murderers should be spared the gallows.
Farid Nawaz
Islamabad
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The unfortunate case of Shafqat Hussain needs to be looked at without resorting to emotional and knee-jerk reactions. If there is even the minutest bit of reasonable doubt on Shafqat’s case (procedure included), then the death penalty must be revoked. That is what justice means.
Shahjahan Khan
Lahore