PAKISTAN. SC ASKS GOVT TO EXPLAIN POSITION ON COMMUTING DEATH PENALTIES

taking suo motu notice of Pakistan government's proposal to commute the death sentences of some 7,000 convicts to life terms, the Supreme Court asked authorities to explain their position on this issue.
Acting on reports in a section of the press about the government's move, Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar issued notices to the government, the law and interior secretaries and the Attorney General to submit written replies to the apex court within a week.
The order issued by the Chief Justice said a hearing on the matter will be held on July 14. The Supreme Court will examine the legality of the government's decision. It also asked the government to explain its position after legal experts questioned whether such an action could be taken through an executive order.