Death sentence 'may spark violence'

The death sentence announced for seven members of the Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) by an anti-terrorism court in Lahore on Friday has led to fears that the banned group could launch a violent campaign.

This would follow the pattern in the past when the announcement of punishment for SSP activists has often triggered violence, especially in strongholds like the central Punjab city of Jhang.

The latest case will determine to what extent the ban placed on it earlier this year has affected the SSP's ability to mobilise its organised cadres.

Earlier this year, the execution of an SSP member for involvement in the killing of a rival sect's members was put off, amid fears of a violent backlash.

The seven SSP men were sentenced to death for the 1993 murder of Syed Nasir Hussain Rizvi, who was killed after 20 extremists fired indiscriminately at a religious gathering at a house in the Shadbagh area of Lahore.