ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court of Pakistan yesterday stayed executions of three convicts who were earlier awarded death sentences by a military court in cases related to terrorism.

A three-judge bench of the apex court headed by Justice Amir Hani Muslim issued notices to Attorney General of Pakistan and other respondents and deferred the matter with date in office. Former President of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Asma Jahangir, Ahmad Raza Kasuri and Laiq Khan appeared before the court on behalf of the three accused. The top human rights lawyer requested the court to suspend the executions of the accused, claiming the military authorities did not allow them to hire their counsels. The accused, believed to be members of a proscribed organisation, were convicted for their suspected involvement in the terrorism-related incidents.

The court stayed the implementation of death sentence in respect of Sheikh Muhammad, Faisal Raza and Taj Gul and issued notices to the parties concerned.