Supreme Court orders immediate implementation of probation release rules

ISLAMABAD: In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed the immediate implementation of rules governing the release of prisoners on probation. The ruling, delivered by Justice Athar Minallah in a comprehensive five-page judgment, highlights the need for urgent action to address serious human rights violations occurring within the country’s prisons.

The court’s decision also carries a vital message to the country’s highest authorities, with directives issued to both the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers to ensure the full enforcement of probation release laws. The federal and provincial governments have been tasked with the responsibility of facilitating the release of all eligible individuals.

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The judgment underscores the grim reality of human rights violations taking place within Pakistan’s overcrowded prisons. The sheer congestion has made it virtually impossible to provide inmates with their constitutional rights, the court noted.

It is worth noting that the majority of those suffering in these overcrowded facilities come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The court firmly expressed its concern that the state has not been sufficiently proactive in delivering affordable and prompt justice to this vulnerable segment of society.

Justice Athar Minallah did not mince words in his assessment of the criminal justice system, describing it as one that permits the powerful to exploit the weak, resulting in a gross miscarriage of justice. He stressed that such conditions in prisons are unacceptable in a society governed by constitutional principles.

The judgment reiterates that it is the state’s duty to safeguard the fundamental rights of every prisoner, emphasizing that prisoners retain all constitutional rights except freedom of movement.

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In a related development, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa has convened a meeting scheduled for 3 pm tomorrow to discuss measures aimed at improving the administration of justice. Sources indicate that the Chief Justice has extended invitations to members of the Pakistan Bar and Supreme Court Bar associations to participate in the gathering.

The meeting is expected to serve as a platform for seeking the perspectives of legal organizations on various matters, including the establishment of benches, case scheduling, and the expedited hearing of urgent cases. This initiative underscores the judiciary’s commitment to enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice system.