Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi said on Thursday that provincial-level committees had been formed to improve conditions in prisons.
CJP calls for effective criminal justice reform
Addressing the conference, the chief justice said the criminal justice system was of fundamental importance to every society. He said improvements in the justice system would come not only through judicial decisions but through effective implementation.
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Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, addressing the National Conference on Prison Reforms, says prisoners’ rights must be ensured and early dispensation of justice remains a top priority. He stresses that the state is responsible for the welfare of inmates,… pic.twitter.com/yQAyNPR57C
CJP Afridi said accountability within the justice system was being ensured. Justice Afridi said improving prison conditions was constitutionally the responsibility of the provincial governments.
He said significant progress had been made in disposing of pending cases. The chief justice said the provision of healthcare and clean drinking water in prisons was essential.
Prisoners’ rights central to justice system: CJP Afridi
Welcoming delegates to the National Conference on Prison Reforms, Justice Afridi said prisoners' rights held a central place in the justice system.
Maryam Nawaz addresses conference
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz addressed a conference on prison reforms after a documentary on jail reforms in Punjab was screened before her speech. She said she did not wish to make any political remarks at the forum.
Maryam Nawaz cites prison experience behind reforms
Maryam Nawaz said she had experienced imprisonment herself and introduced reforms after witnessing prison conditions first-hand. She recalled that her blood sugar dropped one day while she was in jail. She said she called for help but no one came.
CM Maryam says she was forced to eat jaggery mixed with glass from broken bottle
She said her hands were shaking and the bottle containing jaggery slipped from her hands. CM Maryam said she was forced to eat jaggery from the broken bottle, despite pieces of glass being mixed with it.
She said an emergency panic button had since been introduced in Punjab prisons to improve the safety of inmates.
The chief minister said she was unable to see her mother during her final days, adding that it was also her mother's birthday.
She said her mother often told her, "Only the one who suffers truly understands the pain."
CM Maryam said the prison reforms were introduced in light of her own experience during imprisonment.
She said she spent 24 hours a day in solitary confinement and that prison staff would leave food outside the cell door, knock, and walk away.
KP CM calls for better facilities for Imran Khan
Separately, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi addressed the prison reforms conference. He called for improved facilities for the founder of PTI at Adiala Jail.
CM Afridi said a waiting area should be established outside Adiala Jail for visitors. He said PTI founder Imran Khan was being held unjustly and that his health had deteriorated in prison.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister said Imran Khan also had legal rights. He said the PTI founder should receive treatment from his personal physicians.
CM Afridi said prisoners in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were being provided with all facilities in line with the PTI founder's vision. He said democracy allowed public gatherings and added that cases were registered whenever such gatherings took place.
Afridi said terrorism cases had even been registered against young children, adding that the prison reforms should begin with Adiala jail. He called for Imran Khan to be allowed to speak with his sons through a video link.
CM Afridi also said that if meetings with Imran Khan's sisters could not take place, water cannon should not be used against them.
He said that all four provinces were represented at the national conference on prison reforms.
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