As such, he declares that “I have consulted with Mukhtar Mai, and we have decided that a petition seeking review of the judgement of 21st April will be filed soon. The petition will contain a full critique of the judgement.”

Below is the text of the press release that he sent to Newsline earlier this afternoon:

PRESS RELEASE

April 23, 2011

MUKHTAR MAI CASE

STATEMENT OF MR. AITZAZ AHSAN
Sr. Advocate Supreme Court
Advocate for the Appellant

I am deeply disappointed by the 21st April majority judgment of the Supreme Court dismissing the appeals filed by the gang-rape victim, Mukhtar Mai.

The majority judgment is manifestly flawed and, in material particulars, is not even based on the evidence available on the record. In drawing their conclusions, the learned majority judges have disregarded cogent evidence and failed to notice actual material on the records and the facts proved thereby. They have also misread the evidence that they have adverted to. The learned judges have also failed to take notice of the social backdrop, which was established on the record itself, and in the context of which the horrendous crime of gang-rape was committed, reported and investigated. The decision of the majority needs to be reviewed and recalled.

I have consulted with Mukhtar Mai, and we have decided that a Petition seeking Review of the Judgment of 21st April will be filed soon.

The Petition will contain a full critique of the judgment. Hence there is no need for me to make any other comments in the media on the subject.

We are grateful to the people, the media, civil society and particularly the women of Pakistan for their committed support in this critical hour.

Aitzaz Ahsan