ISLAMABAD: Civil society activists breathed a collective sigh of relief on Wednesday night after the government postponed the execution of Shafqat Hussain; a death row inmate who is said to have been convicted while still a minor.

As the hour of his execution drew closer, activists from legal aid NGO Justice Project Pakistan (JPP) and a handful of civil society members gathered outside the National Press Club on Wednesday evening to protest the sentencing of a man who was not a convicted terrorist.

A contingent of protesters, led by activist Tahira Abdullah and journalist Quatrina Hosain then marched from the press club towards the Red Zone, on their way to the Presidency to demand clemency.

The marchers were stopped by a police contingent at the entrance to the highsecurity zone. Ms Abdullah told Dawn that initially, Assistant Commissioner Capt Waqas visited the protesters and negotiated with them.

At around 10pm, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Abdul Sattar reached an agreement with the demonstrators and a fresh mercy application was sent to the Presidency by the protesters.