LAHORE - The executions of convicted terrorists in Kot Lakhpat Jail of Lahore and Adiala Jail of Rawalpindi were delayed on Saturday amid security concerns.
To execute convicted terrorists, the Punjab government has ensured installation of gallows in jails of the province, said sources in the home department on Saturday.
In 32 jails of the Punjab, there are 6,544 convicted prisoners and the provincial government has issued instructions to the prison authorities to keep gallows and executioners ready to implement the executions of terrorists. The next phase of executions is likely to be started next week from Monday. The President of Pakistan has rejected mercy petitions of 58 convicted prisoners involved in terrorist activities. Lower courts of the province have awarded death sentences to more than 6,000 prisoners. Mercy petitions of 462 such prisoners were lying pending with the President and appeals of 946 prisoners were pending in the Supreme Court while 28 such appeals had been filed in Federal Shariah Court. There are only 702 death cells in 32 jails of Punjab, in which 6,544 convicted prisoners had been kept.
According to sources, the terrorists involved in attacks on Gujrat Army Camp and intelligence agencies in Multan are likely to be hanged on coming Monday or Tuesday.
The sources have revealed that two of 24 terrorists on death row in the Punjab have been executed while 14 have filed appeals against the death sentences and will be executed after their appeals are rejected. At least 10 terror convicts on death row are housed in Lahore and Faisalabad jails. After amendments in the prison laws, the prisoners are not necessarily executed at the time of Fajr prayers.
According to Adiala Jail sources, the executions have been delayed till the security clearance is granted. Aqeel alias Dr Usman who was to be executed in Adiala Jail was hanged in Faisalabad Jail.
The prisoners on death row may also be shifted to other jails. Prisons DIG Shahid Saleem said the jail authorities had not been given directions regarding the execution of terrorists, so they were awaiting court orders to carry out executions.