Prioritise cases of inmates awaiting decisions for over three years: CJP

KARACHI: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi on Thursday stressed the need to prioritise cases involving inmates awaiting decisions for over three years, as he proposed the development of mechanisms to expedite such cases.

During a meeting he presided over at the Supreme Court’s Karachi registry, CJP Afridi suggested that previous policies on criminal justice reforms be reviewed so as to assess their impact and to design future strategies.

The meeting was part of the ongoing jail reforms initiatives of the CJP in order to address the critical challenges existing within the correctional system.

The CJP emphasised that the objective of the meeting was to collaboratively identify and address systemic issues. He underscored the importance of a collective effort to ensure that inmates are dealt with humanely and in accordance with law.

During the session a sub-committee for Sindh was formed to evaluate the current state of prisons and propose a comprehensive reform package aimed at enhancing correctional facilities and practices.

The sub-committee will be led by Justice (retd) Irshad Ali Shah, with Barrister Haya Emaan Zahid serving as its coordinator, and Abdul Razzaq Raja and Sheikh Abdullah as its members. Representatives of the Sindh prisons chief and the Law & Justice Commission of Pakistan will also be included.

The sub-committee’s mandate includes developing actionable recommendations to address challenges faced by prisoners, introducing rehabilitative programmes such as vocational training, mental health support and educational initiatives, and devising strategies for the reintegration of inmates into society after release.

The strengths of successful provincial models will also be highlighted to encourage replication across other provinces. These recommendations will form a key component of the National Jail Reform Policy, ensuring a comprehensive, inclusive and province-wide perspective.

The session was attended by Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court Justice Mohammad Shafi Siddiqui, Justice (retd) Irshad Ali Shah, the home and law secretaries, the Sindh and prisons police chiefs, the central jail superintendent, MPAs Abdul Razzaq Raja and Sheikh Abdullah, and Legal Aid Society CEO Barrister Haya.

Earlier, during his interaction with the staff during his maiden visit of the Karachi registry, the CJP emphasised the need for exemplary service to litigants visiting the court.

He directed that every issue of litigants be handled courteously and efficiently under the law. He desired to set up a front desk to treat litigants with the utmost respect and dignity, and said that any complaints of rude behaviour would result in action against the delinquent.