MUHAMMAD IQBAL | Juvenile offender facing imminent execution TIMELINE Muhammad Iqbal, along with 4 other co-accused, was tried for murder and robbery offences by an Anti-Terrorism Court in 1999. The primary evidence connecting Iqbal to the offence was being identified in an identification parade that was held 2 months after the alleged incident. Iqbal was kept in unlawful custody by the police for over a month before he was formally arrested. 10 JUL 1998 The murder and robbery are committed An ossification test, conducted on the request of the prosecution, determined Iqbal’s age as 17 at the time of committing the offence. His juvenility was also confirmed through a school-leaving certificate produced before the trial court. However, despite the trial’s court acknowledgment of his juvenility, Muhammad Iqbal was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Following Iqbal’s death sentence, the Government of Pakistan enacted the Juvenile Justice System Ordinance, 2000 which prohibited the death penalty for all juvenile offenders. A Presidential Notification granted all juveniles, like Iqbal, who had been sentenced to death prior to the JJSO automatic remission of their sentences on the basis of an age determination inquiry. Iqbal’s name was included by the Government of Punjab in a letter to the Registrar as a juvenile entitled to benefit of the Notification but no inquiry was held. Iqbal's death sentence was upheld by the High Court in 20 March, 2002 and on 11 September, 2002 the Supreme Court denied his leave to appeal. A request for the issuance of an execution warrant was sent by the Government of Punjab to the ATC, Gujranwala in June, 2017. Following a complaint filed by Iqbal’s lawyer, the National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR), Pakistan’s National Human Rights Institution, took notice of the matter. Through its order dated 3 July, 2017, the NCHR observed that Iqbal had been unlawfully denied his right to an age determination under the Presidential Notification dated 2001 and directed the Home Department, Government of Punjab to initiate an inquiry into Iqbal’s age and to restrain the ATC from the issuance of an execution warrant until the conclusion of such inquiry. Even though the Government of Punjab withdrew its request for the issuance of a warrant, no age determination inquiry has taken place and, despite being a juvenile, Iqbal remains on death row. e Supreme Court subsequently accepted his appeal and converted his death sentence to seven years. 05 OCT 1999 Iqbal is convicted of murder and sentenced to death by Anti-Terrorism Court 20 MAR 2002 The High Court uphold  his death sentence 11 SEP 2002 The Supreme Court  confirm his death  sentence 16 JULY 2005 ATC Gujranwala dismiss  application for acquittal  on the grounds of  compromise as the  offences are non-compoundable 16 MAR 2016 Mercy petition rejected by the President 26 MAR 2016 Black warrant issued with execution date set for 30th March 2016 28 MAR 2016 Review petition filed on  the basis of compromise,  juvenility and double  punishment. Dismissed. PRESENT DAY Iqbal continues to be on death row and his warrant can be issued any day