Adiala Jail overloaded with 2,300 extra prisoners

ISLAMABAD: The Adiala Jail superintendent on Friday told Islamabad High Court that there are 2,300 extra prisoners in jail whereas the actual capacity is 1,500.

The IHC on Friday was informed that there were 4,800 inmates in the Adiala Jail against actual capacity of 1,500.

The Islamabad High Court chief justice on Friday took up the hearing of plea filed by a prisoner -- Khadim Hussain -- for provision of medical facilities in Adiala Jail. The Adiala Jail superintendent appeared before the court and told it that the jail was built for 1,500 prisoners, but unfortunately 4,800 prisoners were being kept right now on the premises.

Justice Athar Manella took note of absence of Human Rights and Ministry of Health officials and remarked that it will not be spared any more. IHC Chief Justice remarked that “I myself was a guest of Adiala and know well the situation there.” He said that jail authorities were unaware of their obligations and powers, adding prisoners were not just the responsibility of jail management but of the state as well.

The IHC decided to hear the plea of prisoner Khadim Hussain on Saturday as special initiative and re-issued notices to the ministries of Human Rights and Health for reply till Saturday by 10am.

In previous hearing, the IHC had directed the Ministry of Human Righst to produce the details of ill and sick prisoners in jails of all provinces of the country. The high court has formed a commission under the supervision of Shereen Mazari and directed the commission to hold its first meeting within seven days. Sectaries Interior and health, former DG FIA Tariq Khosa would also be the part of the commission. The court has also directed the Health Ministry to made medical board in all the provinces.

The court has also set the ToRs of the commission that it will investigate the violation of human rights in jail, will find the prisoners who failed to approach the court due to lack of financial resources, will also investigate the failure of the departments. The commission will also work on the implementation of jail laws regarding the sick prisoners and would give its suggestions.

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