sub-committee for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province which shall visit for different prisons and submit package of draft reforms.

By: M. Ilyas.

Islamabad: In a significant move towards judicial reforms, the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr. Justice Yahya Afridi, presided over a meeting at the Peshawar Branch Registry of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on 22nd November 2024. The meeting decided to set up a sub-committee for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province which shall visit for different prisons and submit package of draft reforms. The meeting was attended by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court; Mr. Justice Ijaz Anwar Khan, Administrative/Monitoring Judge for Prisons – Peshawar High Court; Mr. Justice Qalandar Ali Khan (Retd.), Former Judge of the Peshawar High Court; Mr. Shah Faisal Utmankhel, Advocate General, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Mr. Muhammad Abid Majeed, ACS, Home and Tribal Affairs Department; Mr. Akhtar Hayat Khan, Inspector General Police; Mr. Muhammad Usman, Inspector General Prisons , Registrar of the Supreme Court of Pakistan; Registrar of the Peshawar High Court; and Ms. Riffat Inam Butt, Secretary of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), Ms. Ayesha Bano, social worker and activist, along with members representing Government and Opposition including Mr. Amjad Ali, Mr. Fazal Shakoor Khan, and Mr. Ahmad Karim Kundi.
The participants offered fateha for deceased passengers of Kurram who had fallen victims to the brutal act. The Hon’ble Chief Justice lauded the role of Peshawar High Court in releasing 1289 prisoners involved in petty crime, He also praised the role of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police in bravery repulsing the terrorist attacks and defending the citizens. He also emphasized on the importance of upgrading forensic science facilities in the province to support efficient and evidence-based criminal investigations.
The Sub-Committee, will comprise of Mr. Justice Ijaz Anwar Khan (Convener), Hon’ble Mr. Justice Qalandar Ali Khan (Retd.) (Member), Ms. Ayesha Bano (Coordinator), Mr. Fazal Shakoor Khan (Member), Mr. Ahmad Karim Kundi (Member), Mr. Amjad Ali (Member), and representatives of the IG Prisons and LJCP. The sub-committee will give recommendations on the issues of Under Trials Prisoners enhancing rehabilitative programs within prisons, including vocational training, mental health support, and educational initiatives, to prepare inmates for reintegration into society. These inputs will contribute significantly to the formulation of a National Jail Reform Policy, ensuring that the policy reflects the feedback and priorities of all provinces.
Regular interaction of stakeholders and leadership of Hon’ble Chief Justice underscores the importance of said reforms as key focus area of the Supreme Court aimed at addressing longstanding inefficiencies in the correctional system. The National Jail Reform Policy aspires to establish a transparent, equitable, and rehabilitative framework that aligns with constitutional obligations and international standards. This collaborative effort, represents a transformative step toward creating a more effective and humane criminal justice system in Pakistan.