Pawar does not endorse Tariq's stand on Afzal hanging

Mumbai, Oct 11 (UNI) Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today did not endorse the stand of his party colleague Tariq Anwar, seeking clemency for Parliament attack convict Mohammed Afzal.

''It is incorrect to comment on court verdict.

Whatever decision is given is arrived at after careful thought. We have to respect it,'' Mr Pawar said.

Mr Anwar had demanded that Afzal's sentence be commuted from death to life imprisonment. His mercy petition is pending before President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam.

UNI MR MAZ LS RS2105