Under trial prisoners languishing in prisons is not a new conundrum for Punjab, but the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers in connection with the chaos post-former prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest, will further exacerbate the crisis.
Albeit the fate of the 9th May protestors is unclear, vis a vis military court trials, the under trial prisoner population which stood at 35,061 at the end of April has risen to 38,231 this month - a 9 per cent increase in just 30 days. An increase, which is worrying given the fact that Punjab’s jails have an authorised accommodation capacity of only 37,217 prisoners, as per documents obtained from jail authorities.
The Express Tribune further learnt that as per a report of a Punjab’s Home Department, as many as 40 per cent of the under trial prisoners are serving time for petty offences like pickpocketing, drug usage, fighting, and gambling; and are only languishing in jail because either they have not been produced in court in a timely manner or do not have accurate legal representation.
These statistics do not bode well for the protestors that were arrested in connection with the protests of May 9th, and can very well expect to be in jail for months on end. However, Inspector General (IG) Prison Punjab, Mian Farooq Nazir, does not agree with this assessment. “The District and Sessions Judge of the District Court visits the jail and releases the prisoners involved in minor offences. More than 100 prisoners are released every month,” claimed Nazir, adding that we are also in touch with social organisations which provide free legal aid to those involved in minor crimes.
However, the IG’s assurances do not inspire any confidence in Abdullah Malik, a representative of a non-governmental organisation (NGOs). “Prisoners are only released if NGOs make a push for their release, otherwise they keep on languishing in jails,” he remarked.
Malik’s sentiments were echoed by the brother of a prisoner languishing in Kot Lakhpat Jail for the past month. “My brother was locked up for fighting and the police keep saying he will only be released if both the parties reconcile. We are poor and cannot afford legal representation, so we are unsure of how long he will have to spend behind bars,” he lamented, under the condition of anonymity.
The Express Tribune also spoke to Special Secretary Home, Fazl-ur-Rehman Khan, regarding the plight of the poor already languishing in jails and the PTI protestors who will likely have to face the same treatment. “We are wary of the increase in the prison population and are in contact with the prosecution department to release those involved in minor crimes,” said Khan, reiterating Nazir’s assurances. “The prosecution department has informed us that the District Session Judge has the authority to release the prisoners involved in minor crimes, and he does release prisoners who cannot afford the services of a lawyer,” added Khan while talking to The Express Tribune.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2023.
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