Supreme Court’s shariat bench converts death sentence into life imprisonment

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court’s Shariat Appellate Bench, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, delivered its first ruling in four years, converting a death sentence to life imprisonment.

The five-member bench ordered the release of Taj Muhammad, a juvenile offender convicted of murdering his lawyer. The court determined that Muhammad, who has already served 20 years of his sentence, should be released if he has no other pending cases.

On August 1, a five-member panel headed by CJP Isa reconstituted the SC Shariat Appellate Bench after a long hiatus. This bench is crucial for interpreting Islamic laws within Pakistan’s legal system.

During the proceedings, Additional Advocate General K-P Nouroz Khan noted that the murdered lawyer was his classmate, prompting CJP Isa to question the relevance of this statement, suggesting it might be an attempt to sway the court.

Chief Justice Isa questioned why Taj Muhammad would murder his lawyer. The government counsel replied that Muhammad, described as a habitual criminal, killed his lawyer for financial gain.

The court observed the unusual nature of the crime, noting that it is rare for a defendant to kill their lawyer, who is generally considered an ally.

Taj Muhammad, from Peshawar Mari, was arrested in 2002 on murder charges. The Shariat Appellate Bench’s decision has drawn significant attention due to the long interval between its proceedings and the peculiar nature of the case.