MUSHARRAF DECISION ON MIRZA HUSSAIN WELCOME

11.11.25am GMT Thu 16th Nov 2006

Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne has praised Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for intervening to halt the execution of a British man, Mirza Hussain.

Liz, co-founder of the European Parliament's Friends of Pakistan Group, said:

"I am very relieved at this decision and while there are still difficulties ahead, this must be the news Mirza Tahir's family, friend and supporters have been waiting for.

"I spoke to President Musharraf personally when he visited the European Parliament in September and asked him to do everything he could to review this case.

"I am very pleased to hear that the President has decided to intervene and will now be doing everything I can to help bring Mirza back to the UK as soon as possible."

Editor's Notes

Mirza Tahir Hussain had been sentenced to death for the alleged murder of a taxi driver but he has always maintained it was an act of self-defence. It is hoped that the 18 years he has now spent in a Pakistani jail will ensure his sentence will be deemed to have been served.