CJP forms panel for judicial reforms in Balochistan

ISLAMABAD: As part of the ongoing judicial reforms process, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi chaired a meeting in Gwadar district of Balochistan on Monday. The session deliberated on critical issues pertaining to the correctional system, and approved formation of a subcommittee for the province. The subcommittee would visit various prisons and submit a comprehensive package of reforms aimed at improving the system.

The meeting was attended by Balochistan High Court (BHC) Chief Justice Hashim Khan Kakar; Justice Abdullah Baloch, BHC’s administrative/ monitoring judge for prisons; Justice Nazeer Ahmed Langove, BHC’s former judge; Syed Shahab Ali Shah, additional chief secretary, Home and Tribal Affairs Department; Moazzam Jah Ansari, inspector general of police; Shujauddin Kasi, inspector general of prisons; prosecutor general, Prosecution Department, Government of Balochistan; Ms Shakar Bibi Baloch, member, Balochistan High Court Bar; Ms Zarghona Bareech, advocate, High Court of Balochistan; and Ms Roshane Barucha, coordinator, SCP Prison Reforms Balochistan.

The subcommittee will develop actionable recommendations, addressing the issues of under-trial prisoners, implementation of rehabilitative programmes within prisons, including vocational training, mental health support, and educational initiatives, and measures to prepare inmates for successful reintegration into society. These recommendations will form a vital part of the national jail reforms policy, ensuring a comprehensive, inclusive, and province-wide perspective.

Meanwhile, the CJP, while enhancing service delivery and ensuring access to justice, outlined a policy approach to visit the farthest districts of each province personally. The initiative aims to assess the facilities and challenges faced in dispensing justice at remote locations. In this respect, the CJP made his first formal official visit to the farthest district of Balochistan, Gwadar.

District and sessions judges of the remote districts, including Turbat, Panjgur, Washuk, Musakhel, Chagai, Harnai, Awaran, Barkhan, Kharan and Zhob joined the chief justice. During the meeting, the CJP assured the judicial officers that he would ensure that they were given good environment, where they could work smoothly and safely. He underscored the importance of upholding the dignity of judicial officers, whether presiding over a civil court or a superior court, and maintaining the majesty and integrity of the judiciary across the nation.