Death Penalty in Pakistan: Data Mapping Capital Punishment – 2024

As we commemorate the World Day Against the Death Penalty, we present the 3rd edition of the annual statistics report, Death Penalty in Pakistan: Data Mapping Capital Punishment. This report offers a thoroughly updated and comprehensive analysis of the implementation of the death penalty in Pakistan.

Over the past decade, significant developments have shaped the landscape of capital punishment in Pakistan. This report delves into the data and provides an insightful overview of a period marked by a profound re-evaluation of the death penalty. Our aim is to highlight these developments through detailed statistical analysis and contextual insights.

Since the lifting of the moratorium on executions in December 2014, the administration of death sentences has undergone substantial changes. The statistics reflect a complex interplay of legal processes, judicial decisions, and evolving societal attitudes that influence the application of capital punishment. This edition captures these shifts and provides key findings on trends, patterns, and the underlying drivers.

In this edition, we have expanded our analysis significantly. Building upon the foundation of primary data collected from Provincial Prison Departments, Punjab Police, and 33 prisons across the country in the first edition, and the inclusion of 127 jails in the second edition, we have now incorporated comprehensive data from 132 jails across Pakistan’s four provinces and territories including Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. The enhanced dataset provides more granular disaggregation of demographic, regional, and legal aspects of death penalty cases, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of the state of capital punishment in Pakistan.

A new feature of this edition is a detailed secondary analysis of Pakistan’s policies and practice referring to Right to Life under ICCPR, which examines the broader impact of the death penalty on various facets of society, including treatment of prisoners, changes in practice, and efficiency of the justice system. This contextual analysis helps frame the statistical findings within a broader discussion, making this report not just a data repository but a resource for informed discourse and policy considerations.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Provincial Prison Departments, the Punjab Police, and all 127 jails across Pakistan for their invaluable collaboration in providing data and insights. Their support has been instrumental in enabling us to produce this comprehensive analysis.

As we continue to refine our data collection and management systems, we remain committed to filling data gaps, enhancing accuracy, and presenting a complete picture of the state of capital punishment in Pakistan. We hope this report serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, scholars, activists, and all those concerned with the state of the death penalty in Pakistan.

In a world where the discourse around the death penalty is evolving, we invite you to explore the insights and trends presented in this report and to join us in our ongoing efforts to promote a more just and humane approach to criminal justice in Pakistan.

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