PM wants to clear death row in tribute to Benazir Bhutto

ISLAMABAD  - Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani called Saturday for country's thousands of death sentences to be commuted to life in prison as part of a birthday tribute to slain Benazir Bhutto.

Though Gilani does not have the authority to directly commute the sentences, he said he would forward a recommendation to empty death row to President Pervez Musharraf, who is expected to approve it.

The mass commutation, which would not prevent future death sentences from being handed down, would be a major victory for human rights activists.

Gilani said he wanted to stop the executions as a tribute to Bhutto. Gilani's recommendation came on what would have been Bhutto's 55th birthday, which was marked in low-key ceremonies at her mausoleum in the town of Naudero. Parliament observed a minute of silence for Bhutto.

"We have asked the Ministry of the Interior to send a recommendation to the president to convert the death sentence of prisoners to life in prison," he said, adding that his action was a tribute to Bhutto, who sacrificed her life to help the country.

Parliament observed a moment of silence on Saturday to honour slain ex-premier Benazir Bhutto in one of a series of remembrance gestures 55 years after her birth.

Gilani told parliament that a monument would be built at the site of Benazir's assassination and that a main road in Rawalpindi and the hospital where she died would also be named after her.

"We will accomplish the mission of our great leader and make Pakistan a peaceful democratic and welfare state," Gilani said.

"She believed in democracy and wanted priority for the health and education sectors," he said.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman after the start of the session pointed out that "It is first birth anniversary of Shaheed BB after her death and the House should observe silence for two minutes to pay tribute to her and should pray for her". After observing two minutes silence Hamid Saeed Kazmi offered 'fateha' for BB. Later, paying tribute to her, Riaz Hussain Pirzada lamented that "It is great misfortune that late BB is not among us today". He said, "I on behalf of Opposition leader Ch Pervaiz Elahi, Ch Shujaat Hussain and other members of PML-Q express grief and sorrow over the demise of BB." He said the nation was also grieved over the sad demise.

Syed Haider Abbas Rizvi said, "Today when the people should have to celebrate her birth anniversary, they are passing through sorrow and grief." He said Benazir Bhutto came here with a message of National Reconciliation that brought about happiness on the faces of the people but unfortunately she was assassinated. He on behalf of MQM leader Altaf Hussain, members of parliament expressed sympathy with the bereaved family, PPP workers and prayed that Allah Almighty may give her highest place in heaven. PPP-Sherpao Parliamentary leader Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao said, "today is a very sad day not only for the members of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto's family but for all the nation."

Munir Khan Orakzai said, "on behalf of Federally Administrate Tribal Areas (FATA) "I expressed sorrow over the assassination of Benazir Bhutto." He said Benazir Bhutto was a great leader especially of Muslim world.

Abdul Matin of ANP said Benazir Bhutto was well informed leader and quick decision maker. She had text a chapter in the history of country's politics.