Buzdar irked over delay in jail reforms

Seeks reports on facilities provided to prisoners

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has expressed strong indignation over failure in making solid progress on jail reforms programme and sought action plan within seven days. He also directed the authorities concerned to provide separate reports about the provision of fans, water coolers and other facilities in jails.

He issued these directions while presiding over a meeting at his office to review jail reforms programme. At the outset, the CM made it clear that he wants immediate progress adding that implementation timeline should be provided by devising an action plan within seven days. On the direction of the CM, a committee was constituted under law minister to submit an action plan within seven days. “I will transform the rancid system at any cost,” he asserted.

The CM directed the authorities concerned to identify as well as the accomplishment of targets with their timelines and added that he will go to the last extent to rectify the existing system by revamping the jails.

“The sky will not fall due to the provision of facilities to the prisoners as I have personally monitored the jails situation,” he added. “The languishing of prisoners and illegal activities will have to be curbed in jails.”

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Meanwhile, Buzdar also took notice of the complaints of extortion and torture of prisoners and directed the officers concerned to take immediate action on such complaints.

“Prisoners do not complain about such bad treatment as the complaint box was found empty during a visit to Multan jail,” the CM added. He asserted that there was no truth in “all is good” type of reports as prisoners do not get warm or cold water in winter and summer seasons.

“Similarly, women prisoners and juvenile offenders also face difficulties because I have checked that there were no bulbs in barracks at night,” the CM remarked. Buzdar also directed the authorities to ensure the provision of medicines at jail hospitals and dispensaries.

Law Minister Basharat Raja, MPA Ayesha Nawaz, chief secretary, ACS (Home), administrative secretaries and others attended the meeting while Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan participated through video link.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2021.