Swift judicial reforms urged to address under-trial prisoners’ plight – HUM News

Swift judicial reforms urged to address under-trial prisoners’ plight – HUM News


ISLAMABAD: The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) has called for swift reforms to the justice system in light of the rising number of under-trial prisoners and the backlog of judicial appeals.

According to the latest data, there are currently 81,398 under-trial prisoners in Pakistan, with 10,658 appeals pending adjudication, highlighting significant flaws within the judicial system.

Punjab, the most populous province, has 49,288 under-trial prisoners and 7,082 pending appeals. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, this figure stands at 11,073 under-trial prisoners with 1,184 pending cases. Sindh reports 19,325 under-trial prisoners and 2,340 appeals awaiting resolution. Baluchistan, with the lowest figures, still has 1,712 prisoners in custody and 52 pending appeals.

To address these serious issues, the NCHR has conducted 150 visits to jails across the country to assess conditions and propose improvements. Under Section 9(c) of the NCHR Act, 2012, the Commission emphasizes the importance of oversight and interaction within the prison system.

To expedite the delivery of justice, the NCHR has recommended several key measures, including the establishment of model courts for speedy trial resolutions, increasing the frequency of judicial officers’ visits to address minor cases, appointing more judicial officers, providing free legal aid to underprivileged prisoners, ensuring timely submission of challans to trial courts, and strengthening the prosecution department for faster trial completions.

These recommendations have been sent to the provincial home departments and prisons departments for urgent implementation. NCHR’s proactive approach aims to reduce the challenges faced by under-trial prisoners and make Pakistan’s justice system more fair and efficient.

As these measures are considered, the call for reform is growing louder within the legal community, stressing the need for structural changes to ensure transparency, efficiency, and justice for all.



Courtesy By HUM News

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