ISLAMABAD (Agencies) – The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Mr. Justice Yahya Afridi, has emphasized the importance of a just and humane criminal justice system, noting that an efficient and rehabilitative prison system is essential to its success. This statement came during a consultative meeting held in Peshawar, where he commended the efforts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) prison management for the release of 1,289 prisoners charged with minor offenses through camp courts conducted by judicial officers in the past three months. The CJP urged other provinces to follow KP’s lead in addressing overcrowding in prisons.
The meeting was part of a series of nationwide discussions initiated by the CJP earlier this month in Lahore and Islamabad. The objective of these talks is to develop a comprehensive National Jail Reform Policy, focusing on prison reforms and inmate welfare as key components of modernizing Pakistan’s criminal justice system.
Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court, highlighted the lack of rehabilitation facilities for prisoners in KP and called for the establishment of stronger systems to help convicts reintegrate into society. He proposed granting sentence remissions to inmates who excel in educational programs while incarcerated, aligning this with broader rehabilitation goals.
During the meeting, participants expressed support for the proposed National Jail Reform Policy, which aims to align Pakistan’s prison system with international standards such as the Nelson Mandela Rules and Bangkok Rules. A significant outcome of the meeting was the establishment of a Jail Reforms Committee to address key issues like overcrowding, inmate welfare, and delays in case processing. The committee will focus on reducing under-trial detention, improving case management, and introducing rehabilitation programs for under-trial prisoners.
To further advance these reforms in KP, a sub-committee was formed under the leadership of Mr. Justice Yahya Afridi. The sub-committee, led by Ms. Ayesha Bano and comprising several key stakeholders, will compile a report on the current conditions in KP’s prisons and propose recommendations for improving the system. The findings of this report will contribute to the national prison reforms policy, incorporating feedback from all provinces.
Key priorities of the sub-committee will include promoting alternative sentencing options like community service and probation, expanding prison-based rehabilitation programs (such as vocational training, mental health support, and educational initiatives), and enhancing forensic science facilities in the province.
This initiative, led by the Chief Justice with support from the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), aims to prioritize humane treatment for prisoners, ensure their rehabilitation, and streamline case management within Pakistan’s prison system.
Other attendees of the meeting included prominent figures from the judiciary and government, including Mr. Justice Ijaz Anwar Khan, Mr. Shah Faisal Utmankhel, Advocate General of KP, and Mr. Muhammad Abid Majeed, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home and Tribal Affairs Department of KP.