The Pakistan government must resist giving in to fear and anger in the wake of the Peshawar school tragedy and maintain its moratorium on executions, Amnesty International has said after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif decided to resume death penalty in terror-related cases.

"Tuesday's attack was utterly reprehensible, and it is imperative that those responsible for this unimaginable tragedy are brought to justice. However, resorting to the death penalty is not the answer '" it is never the answer,"said David Griffiths, Amnesty International's deputy director for Asia-Pacific.

Sharif's announcement came the day after at least 148 people including 132 children were killed by Taliban militants at an army-run school in the north-western city.

"Pakistan is understandably gripped by fear and anger in the wake of the attacks. However, lifting the moratorium on executions appears to be a knee-jerk reaction which does not get at the heart of the problem '" namely the lack of effective protection for civilians in north-west Pakistan," said Griffiths.