Pakistan ends moratorium on executions in move criticized by rights activists

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan's government says it is ending the country's moratorium on executions.

Interior Ministry spokesman Omar Hameed Khan says the moratorium expired on June 30 and would not be renewed.

Khan said Thursday that each person would be dealt with on a case by case basis, and no leniency would be shown to those convicted of murder or terrorism.

He said elderly people and women would be treated differently but did not provide details.

Amnesty International expressed its concern about a possible end of the moratorium in a statement sent out before the government made its announcement.

The rights group said Pakistan has more than 8,000 prisoners on death row, most of whom have exhausted the appeals process, and could now be facing execution.