PAKISTAN. COURT UPHOLDS DEATH PENALTY IN MUSHARRAF ATTACK CASE

the Lahore High Court, Pakistan, upheld the death sentence handed down to Mushtaq Ahmed by the Anti Terrorism Court for planning two suicide attacks on Pakistan President General Musharraf in December 2003. Ahmed still had the right to file another appeal in the Supreme Court. Ahmed had been convicted for his involvement in planting a bomb under a bridge in Rawalpindi which exploded as Musharraf's convoy passed through. Muhammad Akram, Ahmed's defence counsel, argued in the court that the petitioner was a civilian and could not be given punishment under the Air Force Act, as had been done, the court however rejected his plea.