SC orders implementation of report on jail conditions

Report proposes recommendations to govts, says federal ombudsperson’s counsel

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court directed authorities concerned to provide copies of federal ombudsman’s report related to the plight of prisoners in jails across the country to attorney general and parties concerned and implement the report.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar issued the directions during a suo moto case on Wednesday.

The apex court ordered that the advocate generals concerned should ensure implementation on the reports in their respective provinces.

In its report, the federal ombudsman has proposed recommendations to the governments concerned related to the improvement in the conditions of jail, apprised the counsel of the federal ombudsman. He maintained it was duly submitting the report in the court after every three months.

The court maintained the authorities concerned of the board should have visited the jails in prevailing situations. Responding the court, the counsel apprised that owing to the coronavirus pandemic, the committee could not visit the jails.

Justice Gulzar questioned what has been done on ground so far in this regard. Informing about conditions of prisons in the two provinces, the counsel of the federal ombudsman said the Sindh government has formed a new law pertaining to jail while the situation in Punjab jails has also improved where an act pertaining to parole has been formed.

The counsel maintained there was a need for an independent system.

In response, Justice Ahsan remarked independent system was ongoing in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh, adding the counsel should inform the court about improvements brought on the ground.

The counsel apprised new barracks have been built and clean water supply has been provided in several jails across the country.

The court asked if the federal ombudsperson has made any committee which visited sites to check on the ground realities. It further maintained the federal ombudsman prepared the report based on the reports of Home Departments while it had to make it after analysing on the ground realities.

During the proceedings, Punjab Additional Advocate General Faisal appeared before the court and apprised about a new act pertaining to parole.

He maintained a significant improvement has been brought for women prisoners while minors and women inmates were kept in separate jails across the province.

Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail superintendent was also present in the court.

Justice Gulzar questioned the superintendent how frequently he visited the jail. “I visit jail daily and thanks to God the situation is satisfying,” said the superintendent.

He said the court can send officials to jail for inspection. “The cleanliness system is excellent in jails and the authorities have furnished entire record of prison to the federal ombudsman,” he added.

The counsel for the federal ombudsman said, “We suggest you to add more people of civil society in the committee.”

Later, the hearing of the case was adjourned indefinitely.