Separate jails planned for dangerous criminals
A high-security prison exclusively for dangerous criminals will be constructed in Thatta, as per the statement made by Chief Secretary Dr Muhammad Sohail Rajput during a meeting with Federal Ombudsman Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi at the Sindh Secretariat on Tuesday. The meeting was held to discuss the ongoing reforms in the province’s jails.
Addressing the meeting, the CS Sindh mentioned that the Sindh government is implementing reforms in the prisons based on the recommendations of the Federal Ombudsman. He highlighted that the departments of education, health, social welfare, and civil society are working together to bring about positive changes in the prisons of Sindh.
To ensure effective implementation of these reforms, Rajput also informed that oversight committees of judiciary, civil society, education and health experts, and philanthropists have been formed. “These committees share their recommendations with the Sindh government to aid in bringing about necessary changes”, he said.
Additionally, Rajput stated that the Sindh government has provided legal aid to prisoners, with Rs825 million being allocated for the same purpose. In the year 2022, legal aid was provided to 1869 prisoners.
Moreover, Rajput acknowledged the issue of overcrowding in the jails of Sindh, with 23,000 prisoners currently housed in the jails of the province. To address this issue, new jails are being constructed in Thatta, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Malir.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 15th, 2023.