PHOTO: DAILY TIMES
Just a few hours before his planned execution on Thursday, Mirza’s supposedly last confessional statement was aired on television channels and led to his execution being put off for 72 hours.
“The government has constituted a committee to investigate where the statements of Saulat Mirza were filmed and how were the photographs issued,” Balochistan Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti told The Express Tribune. “I would only be able to comment on the video after the inquiry is concluded.”
Ishaq Zehri, superintendent of Mach Central Prison, rejected claims that the video was filmed in the jail itself. “The prisoner has been jailed in different cities and it is possible the video was made earlier at any of those prisons.” The home minister claimed Mirza’s execution was delayed on health grounds as the convict had fainted hours before his execution. “The decision about delaying the execution was made after his medical examination,” he said. “The Balochistan government informed the federal government about his deteriorating health and the decision [to halt the execution] came from the president house.”
Longer delay?
Jail Superintendent Zehri said the execution had only been delayed for 72 hours following the president’s order under Section 45 of the Constitution. “We were directed to delay the execution for 72 hours. I do not know about the conversion of his death sentence into lifetime imprisonment,” he added.
With the holiday of Pakistan Day (March 23) falling on Monday, Mirza’s execution will be delayed by more than 72 hours in effect even if it does take place. Mach Jail Deputy Superintendent said the execution was delayed until Sunday. “Sunday and Monday are holidays. There will be no execution since the officials are off on those days.”
Sources in the Balochistan Home Department said Mirza’s death sentence might be converted into a life sentence given his recent revelations. “This decision is being taken in national interest. He may be of help in tracing witnesses, which could then be used to trace masterminds of targeted killings in Karachi,” said a senior official who did not wish to be quoted.
Police deployed
Five policemen were deployed outside the Gulshan-e-Maymar residence of Mirza in view of his shocking revelations against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
The deployment was made on the request of Mirza’s brother, Farhat Ali, who expressed concerns over his family’s security to the area SHO, Bashir Wattoo.
Mirza’s family members and relatives had gathered at the house on Wednesday expecting his execution. “We were expecting to receive his body and made all arrangements for his funeral and burial,” Ali told The Express Tribune. “Once we learned his execution was deferred for 72 hours, we began to feel threatened because Saulat asserted that our family is in danger.”
Endorsing the deployment, Karachi AIG Ghulam Qadir Thebo said that asking for police protection was the right of every citizen.
‘No legal status’
At a press conference in Karachi, the MQM brushed aside Mirza’s latest statements, claiming the confession carried no legal status.
Senator Dr Farogh Naseem, speaking at the Khursheed Begum Secretariat, said the video had no legal standing and the party would even go to the UN against it. “His statements have no legal bearing. If the video is presented in a court, it will become a laughing stock.” He added: “After a trial is completed and appeals have been rejected, then Section 164 can’t be taken, and will hold no importance. Don’t make a mockery of things. The government doesn’t like the MQM but they should do things properly.”
Claiming that the jail manual prescribed rules that no one apart from the family can meet a death row convict, Naseem questioned how was Mirza’s statement recorded and how could the media play it.
The lawyer said that all allegations had been rejected by the party leaders, including Altaf Hussain, Babar Ghauri and Ishratul Ebad. “Ishratul Ebad has no powers that can provide protection to criminals. He acts on the advice of the chief minister and the government,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 20th, 2015.
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