IHC seeks details of sick prisoners in jails: Shireen Mazari welcomes move

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Friday directed the Ministry of Human Rights to produce details of ill prisoners in jails of all provinces of the country till next date of hearing.

The IHC Chief Justice, Athar Minallah, took up the hearing of plea of Adyala Jail prisoner seeking health facilities. During hearing, Justice Athar directed the Human Rights Ministry to collect data of ill prisoners from jails of all the provinces and produce it before the court.

The court constituted a commission under the supervision of Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari and directed it to hold its first meeting within seven days.Federal secretaries Interior, Health and former DG FIA Tariq Khosa would be the part of the commission.

The court also directed the Health Ministry to constitute a medical board in all the provinces. The court set terms of reference (ToRs) of the commission that it will investigate the violation of human rights in jails, will find prisoners who failed to approach the court due to lack of financial resources, and investigate failure of departments. The commission will also work on the implementation of jail laws regarding ill prisoners and would give its suggestions.

The chief justice remarked that the court would pass a comprehensive judgment regarding the provision of health facilities to the prisoners.

It may be mentioned that a prisoner of death sentence in Adiala Jail had written a letter to the chief justice of IHC in which he stated that he had been suffering from eyesight problem and prayed the court to issue order for provision of facility for treatment.

The court reserved its judgment on the application. Meanwhile, Minister for Human Rights Dr. Shireen Mazari Friday said if courts could give instant relief to the rich and infamous, humanitarian considerations for poor prisoners should also be in place.

In a tweet, the minister welcomed Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision to release over 65-year-old sick male and female inmates.

She tweeted, “Great decision by PM to release over 65 yrs sick male prisoners and over 65 yrs female prisoners. If courts can give instant relief to the rich & infamous, humanitarian considerations for the poor prisoners should also be in place”. The minister emphasised ‘justice for all’.