A year ago, fashion mogul Khadija Shah was languishing in jail pending preliminary hearings before a trial for her alleged role in the May 9 incidents. Today, she has been included in a seemingly 'bi-partisan' panel which will inspect jails across Punjab and help the judiciary streamline processes to address the high number of under-trial prisoners in the province as part of a programme spearheaded by the newly-appointed Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi for devising a National Jail Reform Policy.
The panel was constituted on Saturday during a consultative meeting held in Lahore presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi. Others who participated in the meeting included Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, LHC Administrative Judge Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza, secretaries of Punjab's Home and Prosecution Departments, Inspectors General of Police and Prisons departments, the Supreme Court Registrar, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP) secretary, Lahore Central Prison Superintendent, and human rights activist Saima Amin Khawaja. Members from the treasury and opposition benches, represented by Senator Ahad Khan Cheema and Khadijah Shah respectively, also attended the discussion.
During the session, CJP Afridi constituted a sub-committee comprising Justice (Retired) Shabbar Raza Rizvi, Advocate Saima Amin Khawaja, Senator Ahad Khan Cheema and Shah to inspect jails across the province and to submit recommendations on streamlining processes to address the high number of under-trial prisoners and promote alternative sentencing options, including community service and probation.
Further commitments include expanding rehabilitative initiatives within jails, such as vocational training, mental health support, and educational programs to aid inmates in successful reintegration upon release.
The session served as an inaugural discussion on developing a National Jail Reforms Policy, focusing on prison reforms and the welfare of inmates as part of a broader criminal justice reform strategy.
Earlier, during the session, CJP Afridi shared his vision for modernising Pakistan's criminal justice system, 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, with 108,643 inmates housed in facilities with an authorised capacity of just 66,625 inmates. In this regard, Punjab faces a particularly severe challenge, with 67,837 prisoners stuffed into prisons built to accommodate just 36,365. Further analysis shows that 36,128 of these are under-trial prisoners, many of whom have been awaiting trial for over a year - including some who were arrested on suspicion of their involvement in the May 9 incidents, highlighting a critical issue for the justice system.
CJP Afridi emphasised the importance of addressing these urgent issues in Punjab, beginning a phased approach that will ultimately extend to the entire country.
A release said that the strategic focus on Punjab underscored CJP Afridi's commitment to impactful, sustainable reforms where they are most needed.
Following the consultative meeting in Lahore, the seat of power in Punjab, a province with the most overcrowded prisons— the meetings will continue across other cities and provinces in Pakistan to gather insights and build consensus on reform initiatives.
Aligning with international standards
The agenda of the consultative meeting centred on an LJCP proposal for devising a National Jail Reform Policy in alignment with international standards, including the Nelson Mandela Rules, Bangkok Rules, and Beijing Rules, to ensure humane and rehabilitative management across Pakistan's correctional facilities.
The proposal was strongly supported by session attendees, who considered a phased plan to promote alternative sentencing options and rehabilitation initiatives for under-trial prisoners.
The participants also discussed the possibility of establishing a Jail Reforms Committee to develop strategies to reduce overcrowding, enhance inmate welfare, and improve case processing efficiency.
The Terms of Reference (ToRs) were proposed for a National Committee to guide structured efforts to reduce under-trial detention, introduce case management improvements, and implement comprehensive rehabilitation programmes.
It was hoped that under guidance from CJP Afridi, and with the dedicated data collection and analytical support from LJCP, these initiatives would bring about transformative, systemic improvements within Pakistan's prison system.
By prioritising humane treatment, rehabilitation, and efficient case management, the collaborative framework would set the stage for a sustainable and just prison system that upholds human dignity and fosters rehabilitation nationwide.