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| Many spared from Pakistan gallows | Many spared from Pakistan gallows |
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| The Pakistani cabinet has approved a proposal to commute the sentences of thousands of prisoners on death row to life imprisonment, officials say. | The Pakistani cabinet has approved a proposal to commute the sentences of thousands of prisoners on death row to life imprisonment, officials say. |
| The move will benefit some 7,000 prisoners condemned to death in various cases, they say. | The move will benefit some 7,000 prisoners condemned to death in various cases, they say. |
| It is still not clear if prisoners sentenced under drugs, terrorism or spying charges would also benefit. | It is still not clear if prisoners sentenced under drugs, terrorism or spying charges would also benefit. |
| The government's decision has been welcomed by the human rights group, Amnesty International. | |
| "We hope that the action will benefit all prisoners on death row, without distinction," an Amnesty statement said. | |
| "We also urge President Musharraf to formally endorse the cabinet's action, which will remove approximately one third of the global total of condemned prisoners in one go. | |
| "It will be the largest mass commutation in modern times. We hope that this action by the Pakistan authorities will be a step towards a general moratorium on the death penalty with the ultimate aim of abolishing it." | |
| Indian 'spy' | Indian 'spy' |
| Correspondents say that while the commutations will only come into effect after final approval by President Musharraf, that process should be a formality. | |
| In 2002, the government headed by him granted a similar commutation to juvenile prisoners on death row. | |
| The latest round of commutations was first announced by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on 25 June, but the cabinet approved the proposal only on Wednesday. | The latest round of commutations was first announced by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on 25 June, but the cabinet approved the proposal only on Wednesday. |
| Briefing the press after the cabinet meeting, Information Minister Sherry Rehman said the decision would benefit about 7,000 prisoners sentenced to die. | Briefing the press after the cabinet meeting, Information Minister Sherry Rehman said the decision would benefit about 7,000 prisoners sentenced to die. |
| It is not clear whether the cabinet decision will benefit Sarabjit Singh, an Indian man on death row in Pakistan for spying and carrying out bomb attacks. | It is not clear whether the cabinet decision will benefit Sarabjit Singh, an Indian man on death row in Pakistan for spying and carrying out bomb attacks. |
| His case has commanded international attention, with India repeatedly calling for his life to be spared. | His case has commanded international attention, with India repeatedly calling for his life to be spared. |
| Earlier, an adviser to the prime minister on home affairs indicated the decision may exclude certain categories of prisoners, such as those sentenced in cases involving drugs and terrorism. | Earlier, an adviser to the prime minister on home affairs indicated the decision may exclude certain categories of prisoners, such as those sentenced in cases involving drugs and terrorism. |
| Ms Rehman was not available to clarify the cabinet's position on the categories of prisoners who will remain on death row. | Ms Rehman was not available to clarify the cabinet's position on the categories of prisoners who will remain on death row. |