68 inmates transferred for medical care died in a year

The Punjab Home Department revealed that 68 prisoners transferred from various provincial jails to Lahore for advanced medical treatment died last year.

According to a spokesperson for the department, the inmates were relocated to leading hospitals in Lahore due to critical health conditions.

"All deaths were the result of pre-existing medical conditions and thoroughly investigated under the directives of district and sessions judges. No deaths occurred due to violence," the spokesperson assured.

Post-mortem examinations and formal inquiries were conducted for every death, and the bodies were handed over to families following proper procedures. The department clarified that prisoners transferred to Lahore for medical treatment are included in the city's official prison population.

While officials highlighted efforts to provide better healthcare for inmates, broader statistics paint a troubling picture. A recent report by Justice Project Pakistan (JPP) revealed that Pakistan's prisons operate at 152.2% of their official capacity, with some facilities exceeding 300%.

Punjab holds the majority of the nation's inmates, with 61,813 prisoners crammed into facilities designed for just 37,217 individuals—an alarming 173.6% overcapacity. Compounding this crisis, 73.41% of the national prison population comprises under-trial prisoners, far above the global average of 27%, reflecting delays in judicial processes and inefficient bail systems.

The JPP report also highlighted the disproportionate rise in incarcerations for drug-related offences. Of the 23,367 inmates detained under the Control of Narcotics Substances Act (CNSA), Punjab leads with 13,331 cases.