TWO SENIOR LHC JUDGES VISIT THREE JAILS ON EID DAY

Lahore: On the occasion of Eid ul Fiter in order to meet prisoners,  Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik and  Justice Mansoor Ali Shah of the Lahore High Court will visit KotLakhpat Jail and  Camp Jail of the Provincial Metropolis and District Jail at Sheikhupura.

First of all the Hon’ble Judges will reach KotLakhpat Jail at 10.00am and inspect jail barracks to inquire problems of jail birds. They will go to jail canteen in order to ascertain the quality, quantity as well hygienic conditions of the food being served to the jail inmates.  Jail  hospital  will also be visited to know the standard of medical care being provided at the facility to the prisoners.

Besides, reviewing cleanliness arrangements, other necessary matters will be taken up with the jail authorities in order to ameliorate the lot of the men behind the bars. Later on the Hon’ble Judges will proceed towards Camp Jail Lahore and then to District Jail Sheikhupura for their inspection.Honble Judges will also release prisoners involved in petty issues on bail as per law in the three jails.

According to the public relation department,On the spot release orders on personal surety bonds for 48 prisoners involved in petty matters were issued on Eid Day on the directions of Mr. Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik, Senior Puisne Judge and Mr Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Senior Judge of the Lahore High Court. Both the Judges accompanied with District and Sessions Judge, Lahore, Mr. Tariq Iftikhar, Inspector General Jails, Mian Farooq Nazir, DIG, Malik Mubashar had visited Kot Lakhpat Jail and Camp Jail, Lahore in order to celebrate Eid ul Fiter with jail inmates. On this occasion, the Judges sought details of cases facing the prisoners and directed the jail authorities to\ send details of cases pending adjudication with the Lahore High Court within a week so they may be disposed of on priority basis. Justice Manzoor encouraged the jail birds by disclosing that he   had disposed of 800 murder references in a year and Chief Justice Khwaja Imtiaz Ahmad was attaching great importance to mitigating the difficulties of the men behind the bars. Jail population in the Province has declined from 64000 to 59000 prisoners as a result of speedy justice. Reviewing arrangements in the jails, the Judges underlined the need for further improvement and switching over to automation and video trials of the prisoners. Juvenile under trials were stressed upon to have hands computer and other skills available in the jail premises for becoming useful citizens. Speaking to the prisoners, the Judges advised them to learn a lesson from their mistakes and always remember the jail term in the rest of their lives. Condemned prisoners demanded application of remission in their sentences but they were reminded   that it was the job of the Government and the courts have to decide cases as per Constitution and law of the land.

Judges met each and every prisoner of the death cells, women barracks, wards of both the hospitals and juvenile wing for saying a happy Eid, distributing gifts amongst them and knowing their difficulties and grievances. A day long hectic schedule was not enough to ascertain their problems and the Judges promised to visit them in September again.

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said that Lahore High Court has started reform projects for over hauling the judicial system in the province and a pilot project has also been launched in the jails for introducing information technology and automation. Data of jails is being collected to have easy access with the information. The PIMS project setup in the jails will be interlinked with the Lahore High Court to get online record of cases for their quick disposal.

Sheikhupura Jail: later on, the Judges accompanied with District and Sessions Judge Nazeer Ahmad Gujana as well as jail officials visited the district jail. They exchanged Eid greetings with prisoners including minors, ladies and offered them Eid gifts. They also listened problems of the prisoners and issued orders for their redressal. Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik exhorted upon the prisoners to seek forgiveness from Almighty Allah and lead Islamic life, involve themselves in healthy activities to reform them for becoming better citizens after their confinement.