Death Sentence Upheld for Killer of Pakistani Governor; Ghani Criticized Over Initiation of Peace Talks with the Taliban

Editor’s note: Due to scheduling conflicts, we will not be covering news from India today. We will resume the full brief tomorrow.

Pakistan

Death sentence upheld for killer of Pakistani governor

A Pakistani court on Monday upheld the death sentence for Mumtaz Qadri, who killed Punjab Governor Salman Taseer in 2011 (Reuters, BBC). Taseer was an outspoken critic of Pakistan’s harsh blasphemy law — which carries the death penalty — and Qadri is viewed as a hero by many people who thought Taseer himself was a blasphemer for calling for the law’s reform. Qadri, who was Taseer’s bodyguard at the time of the murder, was convicted in late 2011, but appealed the sentence to the Islamabad High Court. He can now appeal his case to the Pakistani Supreme Court.

UNICEF: lack of toilets linked to stunted growth

In Pakistan, open defecation is a major contributor to stunting, which is when children don’t grow as tall as they should and brain development is affected, according to Geeta Rao Gupta, the deputy executive director at UNICEF (AP). There are 41 million people who do not have access to a toilet in Pakistan and as a result, they go to the bathroom in the open. This in turn contributes to the spread of disease and intestinal infections, especially in young children, and stunts the growth of many Pakistanis. The lack of access to private toilets also discourages young girls from attending school and leaves many women vulnerable to attacks when they walk long distances to relieve themselves. UNICEF is working with the Pakistani government to improve conditions, including working with communities to build toilets.

Afghanistan

Bonus read: “Afghan Peace Efforts Reopen Wounds Over Pakistan,” Mujib Mashal and Azam Ahmed (NYT). 

Ghani criticized for initiation of peace talks with Taliban

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is being criticized by some in Afghanistan for his decision to initiate peace talks with the Taliban (TOLO, NYT). Fazl Hadi Muslimyar, the chairman of the Meshrano Jirga (Senate), said that Ghani’s initiation of peace talks with the Taliban was hasty and that the Taliban would never renounce violence. Members of the High Peace Council (HPC) have also spoken out in favor of careful consideration and patience during any negotiations, with HPC member Mohammad Akbari saying that “this [peace] can’t take place in jus one meeting” (TOLO). Advocates for women’s rights are worried about the future of women if the negotiations continue; Alema Alema, a member of the Afghan Women Political Participation Committee, said that they “fear that the government and the politicians may compromise women’s rights.” Bonus read: “It’s Complicated: The Relationship between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Taliban,” Hekmatullah Azamy (SouthAsia).

Six killed in attack on Sufi worshipers

Several men attacked a Sufi place of worship in Kabul Saturday evening, shooting at least fourteen people and killing six of the worshippers (Reuters, TOLO). A statement by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Interior said that the attackers used guns fixed with silencers and carried out the attack during evening prayers. Although the gunmen fled the scene, the police have arrested five suspects in connection with the attack.

Riot at Jawzjan prison

Three police offers and one prisoner were killed in Jawzjan prison during a riot by the prisoners over the weekend (TOLO, AP). The riot began during a search by prison authorities for cellphones, knives, and other contraband on Saturday, according to Gen. Faqir Mohammad Jawzjani, the police chief of Jawzjan province. The inmates took two police officers and one criminal investigator hostage and later killed the officers and set the investigator on fire. The investigator survived, but is in critical condition. Negotiations with the prisoners are ongoing.

— Emily Schneider

Edited by Peter Bergen

AAMIR QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images