On March 10, the Pakistan Government denied charges...

On March 10, the Pakistan Government denied charges that it violated human rights or ignored their violation in the country. Information Minister Mushahid Hussain said the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan's report was "one-sided and not based on fact" because it blamed the Government for problems that were outside its control. Hussain also dismissed criticism of the Government's stand on death sentences. "Capital punishment is and remains a deterrent against heinous crimes, violent crimes and crimes such as gang rape, murder and terrorism," he said. In February, the U.S. State Department's report on human rights around the world criticized Pakistan, saying there was widespread violence against women, extrajudicial killings and mistreatment of religious minorities in the country.