Balochistan gives input on mentally ill prisoners
Dr Rubaba Khan Buledi, the Parliamentary Secretary of Law and Parliamentary Affairs in Balochistan, announced that the provincial government has shared its opinion with the Federal Ministry of Law and Justice about establishing a medical board at the divisional level to assess psychogenic inmates.
She made this statement during a meeting with Inspector General of Balochistan Prison, Malik Shujauddin Kasi, on Tuesday.
According to Buledi, the Federal Ministry of Law and Justice had requested opinions from all provinces on the assessment of mentally ill patients held in jails by divisional medical boards under the Prison Rules of 1979.
“The provinces were asked to provide a written opinion, and the Balochistan government has prepared comprehensive recommendations and a response on the subject, which has been sent to the federal government,” she explained.
Buledi noted that currently, under the Prison Rules of 1978, a single doctor at the prison confirms the claims of relatives of prisoners involved in serious crimes that they committed the crime due to mental illness. However, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has suggested that a board consisting of medical experts should replace the process of medical certification by a single doctor.
As the Medical Prison Rules of 1978 apply to all four provinces of the country, the Federal Ministry of Law and Justice has requested their opinions to improve jail rules. In response to the apex court’s directives, the Balochistan government has submitted a comprehensive reply with written proposals to the Ministry of Law and Justice.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2023.