Pak imposes moratorium on executions during Ramadan

Pakistan has imposed a ban on executions during the holy month of Ramadan after hanging about 150 convicts in nearly six months since it lifted the moratorium on death penalty.
The Interior Ministry issued an order yesterday asking all provincial governments not to carry out any executions in the Muslim month of fasting.
Ramadan is expected to start from Thursday or Friday depending on the sighting of the moon of the next Islamic lunar month.
Muslims all over the world observe fast during the holy month and refrain from food, drinks, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk as given in Islamic injunctions.

Pakistan had lifted the moratorium on death penalty after about six years in December after the terrorist attack at the Army Public School in Peshawar, which claimed 150 lives, mostly children.
The United Nations, the European Union, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch and various local groups have asked government to stop the executions.
But government has refused to halt them, saying it is a deterrence against militancy and other crimes.