Adiala has 3 times more prisoners than its capacity

IHC seeks reply from ministries of railways and interior on Tezgam train accident

ISLAMABAD: Adiala Jail authorities on Friday told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that the famous Rawalpindi jail contains over 4,800 prisoners while its original capacity is sufficient for 1,500 inmates.

This revelation was made by the Adiala Jail superintendent who was summoned in the high court in connection with complaint of an inmate, Khadim Hussain, who sought provision of medical facilities.

Heading the bench, the IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah said: "I myself has been a guest of Adiala Jail and know well the situation there."

The CJP also took notice of absence of the officials of Ministry of Human Rights and Ministry of Health and remarked that they will not be spared any more.

He said the jail authorities are unaware of their obligations and powers, adding that prisoners are not just the responsibility of jail management but of the state as well.

The IHC later decided to hear Khadim Hussain's plea also on Saturday. The court re-issued notices to the Ministry of Human Rights and Health Ministry for reply by Saturday by 10 am.

On November 22, the IHC formed a commission to investigate into the human rights violations and lack of medical assistance to ailing prisoners in the jails after converting Hussain’s complaint into a petition.

The prisoner had claimed that his eyesight had been damaged because of negligence of the jail authorities and he did not have the financial means to approach a court.

The commission, headed by Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari, was also to probe into the government’s failure to fulfill its obligations and enforce the Prison Rules and the Code of Criminal Procedure regarding inmates suffering from illness.

Railway accident case

The IHC also sought reply from ministries of railways and interior with regard to Tezgam train accident while hearing a petition seeking a transparent inquiry into the tragedy. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiani heard the petition filed by the Jurist Foundation.

The court sought a detailed reply from the Interior Ministry and the Ministry of Railways as well as the inquiry report on the incident in the next hearing.

It asked the railways counsel whether any compensation was paid to the victims of the accident. Justice Akhtar questioned whether the railway minister could announce compensation and asked for the law under which the minister announced the compensation.

The counsel for Ministry of Railways said the federal government paid the compensation to the victims of fast-track accidents. The plaintiff's lawyer Hanif Rahi asserted that independent inquiry could not be hold under as long as Sheikh Rashid was the railways minister.

The court asked for the steps taken by the federal government for victims and whether any compensation was paid to them or not and what was the situation of the injured.

The court directed the Ministry of Interior to tell the court what measures are being taken to avoid such incidents in future. The court also sought postmortem reports and FIR of the incident. Hearing of the case has been adjourned till January 13.

Pakistan Red Crescent Society

The IHC also extended suspension of appointment of eminent singer Abrarul Haq as chairman of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) till the next hearing of the case.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued this order as he resumed hearing of a petition filed by former PRCS acting chairman Saeed Ilahi against appointment of Ibrar-ul-Haq.

In the previous hearing, the court had suspended Ibrar's appointment orders.

The CJ also asked the federal government to submit its reply till Thursday. Justice Minallah said the laws governing such body are functional, so no one could be allowed to violate them.

The counsel for Ibrar said the PRCS is a welfare body and the petition against appointment of its chairman is non-maintainable. The court remarked that the notification will remain suspended till the government submits a reply.

Haq was appointed as the new chairman of the PRCS on November 15. Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination had issued the notification regarding his appointment. The hearing was adjourned till December 5.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP