Senate HR body voices concern over delayed justice, overcrowded prisons

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ISLAMABAD: The Senate’s Functional Committee for Human Rights expressed deep concern over the crowded prisons of Pakistan and delayed justice for the prisoners of death.

During the meeting, headed by Senator Sameena Mumtaz Zahri, at the Parliament House on Thursday, the Human Rights Senate’s Functional Committee expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of Pakistan’s jail system.

The Senate Functional Committee was told that 3,646 prisoners were currently sentenced to death in Pakistani jails, in which the Lahore High Court has appeals to 2,212 death sentences from Punjab and 276 are pending in the Supreme Court.

On average, it takes at least five years, which is heard by appeal, which creates a long uncertainty for those facing the death sentence.

In addition, the crowd providing the jail system, which includes 73 % prisoner in Punjab jails, 74 % in Sindh, 2 % in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), and 15 % of the surprise in Balochistan judges.

The meeting presented a briefing on the jail system about the chairman of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) and the enforcement of rules to avoid violence and punishment.

The committee discussed several critical issues, including crowded, detention before a long trial, and neglect of weak populations like women and young children.

Prisons

Despite receiving detailed figures, the Chairperson Senate’s Functional Committee for Human Rights Sameena Mumtaz Zahri expressed regret that the number failed to reflect the real situation of the prisoners and many human rights abuses that the general had not yet decided.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui pointed out the delay in the judicial process, saying that it may take five years to confirm a matter, during which prisoners continue to tolerate severe conditions. “Even after a prolonged process, prisoners are still subjected to prison conditions, which are resembling worthy measures rather than restoration,” Senator Siddiqui said.

In his remarks, Senator of the Chairperson Senate Functional Committee for Human Rights, Sameena Mumtaz Zahri, expressed disappointment at her, unable to resolve issues such as violence and treatment of women and children. He emphasized that the real issue is not only in the data but also the police need to cooperate effectively with various stakeholders, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the watchman of the prisons, and the internal, human rights and law ministries.

Sameena Mumtaz Zahri added, “When the United Nations inquires about the status of human rights enforcement, we have no answer. Where are we going? He further pointed out that efforts to cooperate between all the parties are necessary for improving the system and ensuring justice for prisoners.

The committee vowed to make unannounced visits in various prisons to expose the real situation inside.

Chairperson Senate Functional Committee for Human Rights Senator Sameena Mumtaz Zahri shared her experiences, saying that in some prisons, prisoners have no place to sleep. He remarked, “The real harassment is suffering from mental and physical distress by junior officers who are proud to be less proud of the prisoners.”

The committee agreed to issue recommendations for the purpose of various departments, emphasized the coordination of all relevant stakeholders, and organized.

More meetings to ensure action.

Senator Samina Mumtaz Zahri also emphasized that high -payers should look for people living in bad conditions. “Although parliamentarians have faced salaries, ordinary citizens struggle to feed their families.”

The committee took notice of the testimony of the officials, including Balochistan and Punjab jails. Reports significantly indicate a crowd, in which 15 % of prisoners in Balochistan prisons have faced insufficient space. Representatives of NGOs have also warned that begging will increase the burden on the prison system with a criminal offense.

The committee was particularly terrified by the low -trial prisoners. While globally, about 25 % of the accused are imprisoned during the trial, the number of Pakistan is dangerously high. Particularly in Punjab, there are the largest number of prisoners, of which 3,646 are guilty of death sentences whose appeals are awaiting.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui emphasized that the slow pace of justice is a major concern, some prisoners have been waiting for more than five years to hear their appeals in the courts.

Senator Sameena Mumtaz Zahri called for better conditions and monitoring of the jail, highlighting the need for funds like other projects under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP). He said that investing in better prisons would also benefit the people.

The committee highlighted the absence of accountability for detention violence, FIA officials said they could not interfere in prison cases. Senator Samina Mumtaz Zahri called it a “sarcastic system”, emphasizing the need for reforms to ensure that all citizens are treated with dignity and justice.