Prison conditions: LHC directs govt to complete jail buildings

LAHORE:

Lahore High Court has directed the Punjab government to complete construction of eight jails by June 30, 2015.

Justice Muhammad Farrukh Irfan Khan issued the order on a petition filed by Rida Qazi seeking improvement in prison conditions. She said inmates should be provided proper cells.

Prisons deputy inspector general submitted a report stating that 2,923 posts for prison staff have been advertised in various newspapers. The report said the National Testing Services would oversee the physical and written tests of candidates. It also said the review boards headed by retired district and sessions judges would monitor the entire process, which will be completed by June 21.

The court observed that reports received from the departments concerned were inconsistent and incomplete.

The court appointed deputy attorney general Waqas Qadeer Dar as a representative of the court, along with the petitioner’s counsel, the Prisons DIG, a Home Department member, a Communications and Works Department member, Planning and Development Department additional secretary and Finance Department Director will make sure the court’s directions are complied with.

The judge also asked them to submit a detailed report in the office before the next hearing on May 29.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2014.