Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif

PAKISTAN: PRIME MINISTER LIFTS MORATORIUM ON DEATH PENALTY AFTER TALIBAN ATTACK

December 17, 2014: the Pakistani Prime Minister lifted the moratorium on the death penalty in terrorism-related cases, a day after Taliban gunmen attacked a school in Peshawar, killing 132 students and nine teachers, a government spokesman said.
Mohiuddin Wani said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had approved the decision of a ministerial committee to ensure implementation of death penalties for hardcore terrorists involved in heinous crimes. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif described the attack as a "national tragedy unleashed by savages". "These were my children. This is my loss. This is the nation's loss."
The terror attack in Peshawar saw nine Tehreek-e-Taliban insurgents storm the army-run school while around 500 children and teachers were believed to be inside. They moved from room to room during the eight hour attack in what is believed to have been an act of revenge for a major military offensive in the region. It came after a district government official confirmed a US drone strike in eastern Afghanistan killed 11 militants, including four Pakistan Taliban, on 16 December.
The Afghan Taliban issued a statement condemning the attack in Peshawar. (Sources: Reuters/Samaa.tv/sky.com, 17/12/2014)