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Date: 28th April 2006
Advisor to Chief Minister Raja M. Nasir, Distt. Nazim Raja Javed Ikhlas to visit Adiala Jail today alongwith a group of Parliamentarians
Islamabad: - Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights (PCHR) has expressed deep concerns over the battered conditions of Adiala prison and hapless state of prisoners there. This was stated by Chief Coordinator PCHR Mr. Shafique Chaudhry in a meeting with Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab Raja M. Nasir and District Nazim Raja Javed Ikhlas. Briefing them about the overall state of prisons in Pakistan, Mr. Shafique Chaudhry conveyed them that the worsening state of prisoners and violation of their basic rights demands urgent attention to reform the prison system in Pakistan. He particularly diverted the attention of district administration towards the dismal state of Adyala Jail especially in the context of torture allegedly inflicted upon the prisoners. He maintained that imprisonment does not imply that the prisoners should be deprived of their rights, but they should have right of access to courts for fair trial as well as respect for bodily integrity. Mr. Shafique Chaudhry emphasized upon the reformation of prison system in such a way that prisoners could have been treated according to Basic Principiles for the Treatment of the Prisoners laid down by the United Nations Resolution 45/111 passed on 14 December 1990.
In this concern, a high-profile delegation of PCHR comprising of Chairman PCHR Mr. Riaz Fatyana MNA, Executive Director PCHR Ms. Kashmala Tariq MNA, Director PCHR Ex Minister of State for Interior Senator Dr. Shahzad Waseem, Rai Aziz Ullah Khan MNA, Malik Zaheer Abbas Khokhar MNA, Ms. Fauzia Wahab MNA, Mrs. Mehnaz Rafi MNA and Chief Coordinator PCHR Shafique Chaudhry accompanied by District Nazim Rawalpini Raja Javed Ikhlas, Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab Raja Muhammad Nasir and Town Nazim Raja Hamed Nawaz will visit Adyala Jail tomorrow. The proposed delegation will personally investigate the plight of vulnerable prionsers in terms of reports of alleged tortures, deteriorated health and medical facilities, complaints of corruption and illtreatment of visitors etc etc.
Both the dignitaries conceded to the concerns and support of PCHR over alleged human rights violations in prison especially in Adyala Jail. Raja Nasir and Javed Akhlas both said that it is prime objective of the government to create reform-oriented environment in the jails so that prisoners, instead of becoming professional criminls, become healthy citizens of the country. It is possible only when we bring about reforms in prisons in such a way that jails start working as social institutions rather than torture cells as allegedly reported these days.
Following numbers will be reachable round the clock for any information or help: Media Cell PCHR |
