Ms. Khadijah Shah was also present during the meeting who has experienced imprisonment in jail for the May 9 riots.
CJP launches Initiative for Comprehensive Jail Reforms. A pivotal consultative meeting was held at Lahore. The meeting was presided over by the Honorable Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr. Justice Yahya Afridi. Honorable Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, Ms. Aalia Neelum was also present during the meeting. Administrative Judge of the Lahore High Court, Mr. Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza, Secretaries of the Home and Prosecution Departments, Inspectors General of Police and Prisons departments, the Registrar, Supreme Court of Pakistan, the Secretary, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), the Superintendent of Central Prison, Lahore, Ms. Saima Amin Khawaja, human rights activist were also present.
The members from both treasury and opposition political parties were present. Mr. Ahad Khan Cheema, Senator and Ms. Khadijah Shah who have experienced imprisonment in jail were also attending the meeting.
National Jail Reform Policy
This session marked the inaugural discussion for developing National Jail Reform Policy. It focuses on prison reforms and the welfare of inmates as part of a broader criminal justice reform strategy for Pakistan.
Chief Justice Afridi shared his vision for modernizing Pakistan’s criminal justice system. He is stressing that a humane and effective prison system is essential to ensure a fair legal framework. He noted that data collected by the LJCP reveals a deeply concerning situation nationwide.
The data shows 108,643 inmates housed in facilities with an authorized capacity of only 66,625. Punjab faces particularly severe challenges, with 67,837 prisoners confined in prisons built to accommodate just 36,365. Further analysis shows that 36,128 of these are under-trial prisoners. Many of these prisoners are awaiting trial for over a year, highlighting a critical issue for the justice system.
Chief Justice Afridi emphasized the importance of addressing these urgent issues. He intends a phased approach in Punjab that will ultimately extend to the entire country. This strategic focus on Punjab underscores his commitment to impactful, sustainable reforms where it is most needed.
The agenda includes National Jail Reform Policy (NJRP) in alignment with international standards. NJRP includes Nelson Mandela Rules, Bangkok Rules, and Beijing Rules, to ensure humane and rehabilitative management across Pakistan’s correctional facilities. The participants also discussed the possibility of establishing a Jail Reforms Committee.
Further commitments include expanding rehabilitative initiatives within jails. These include vocational training, mental health support, and educational programs to aid inmates in successful reintegration upon release. These initiatives are intended to bring about transformative, systemic improvements within Pakistan’s prison system
