During his third day of visit to the remote areas of the country, the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Justice Yahya Afridi, visited the District Prison Rahim Yar Khan on Friday.
During the visit, he was accompanied by Justice Shahbaz Ali Rizvi, a judge of the Lahore High Court, the Registrar of the Supreme Court, the District and Sessions Judge Rahim Yar Khan, and the Inspector General of Prisons, Punjab.
According to a Supreme Court’s press release, this visit forms part of his commitment to get first glimpse of the prison and inmates conditions.
This is part of his determination to introduce substantively reforming the Criminal Justice System to which prison are integral part.
During the inspection of the District jail, the Chief Justice reviewed the facilities provided to the inmates. He also visited the female and Juvenile sections, the jail dispensary and bakery and showed satisfaction.
The CJP also met the under-trial and convicted prisoners. He noted that there are certain prisoners whose cases are moving at slow pace. He desired that the District and Sessions Judge shall examine such cases of abnormal delay and ensure speedy disposal.
He emphasized upon the skill development of the inmates so that they contribute towards the society after completing their jail term.
He highly appreciated the efforts of certain philanthropist organizations in providing additional facilities of health and education.
The Chief Justice also directed the District Judiciary to avail window of Law and Justice Commission in payment of fine of convicted prisoners and financing of legal aid to the deserving inmates.
He appreciated the efforts of the Jail Superintendent in maintaining the premises of the prison in good condition. Later on, the inspector General of Prison briefed the Chief Justice on the ongoing and planned infrastructure improvement program and provision of facilities to the inmates.
The CJP expressed his satisfaction of upgradation efforts and support provided by the government of Punjab. He however directed the Inspector General to move ahead on his planned changes in the prison manual so that its improvement should begin appearing.
He desired that such improvement initiative should be shared with the Committee which is working on his behalf so that it focuses other areas which need attention. He reiterated his commitment for finalizing recommendations of all provincial prison reforms committees within three months, to address weaknesses in the implementation.
Upon his briefing, he urged the establishment of a prison complex in Rahim Yar Khan and Lahore.