2,084 women prisoners in country’s jails, NA told

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Human Rights has submitted a report to the National Assembly, revealing that prison data shows a total of 2,084 women are currently incarcerated across the country for various crimes.

In a written response to a question by Nuzhat Sadiq, Minister for Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar stated that women constitute 1.37% of the total prison population in Pakistan. Although, this figure is relatively low compared to global statistics, an upward trend in the number of female prisoners has been observed since 2019. Notably, there has been a 2.8% increase in the number of female prisoners between 2023 and 2024, with most women incarcerated for narcotics-related offences and murder. Currently, Pakistan has four functioning prisons specifically designated for women: three in Sindh (located in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur) and one in Multan. In other regions, women are housed in separate barracks within male prisons.

The ministry also acknowledged in its written reply that women may face challenges within the criminal justice system. In response, it prepared a report titled “Plight of Women in Pakistan’s Prisons”. The report outlines several key recommendations, including reducing the population of under-trial prisoners, developing sentencing alternatives, establishing post-release programs, and strengthening educational and rehabilitation services. Legal reforms were also emphasized.

Over time, provincial governments have worked to improve prison conditions, ensuring gender non-discrimination, legal representation, and access to rehabilitation services. According to the ministry, women prisoners now have access to all facilities provided under the jail manuals, including medical care, food, legal counsel and vocational training. The development of probation and parole services has also advanced, with data showing that as of 2024, probation services were extended to 190 women in Punjab, nine in Sindh, and six in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The Ministry of Human Rights has taken multiple initiatives to promote gender equality in the justice system and enhance conditions for female offenders. One such initiative is the establishment of the Implementation Commission on Prison Reforms, created under the direction of the Islamabad High Court on November 22, 2019, and led by the minister for Human Rights.