Staff Reporter
Peshawar
Federal Ombudsman (Wafaqi Mohtasib), Syed Tahir Shahbaz here Tuesday said the provinces have been asked to propose amendments in the existing probation and parole laws in order to reduce pressure on the accommodation facilities in jails. The decision to this effect has been taken during a high level meeting held on September 30, 2019 and the provinces were informed accordingly about recommendations and decisions made.
Talking to media persons here at Provincial Ombudsman Office, Shahbaz said proposals for significant expansion of probation and parole facility in all far flung areas of provinces would help address problem of overcrowding in jails. Dilating upon the decisions made, he said IG Prisons would submit list of oversight committees to the Chief Secretaries along with data on number of visits undertaken by each committee. The oversight committees would comprise of professionals like doctors, lawyers, teachers, businessmen and philanthropists. It has also been decided to look into construction of more jails and up-gradation of existing ones and a report to this affect should be submitted to the Chief Secretary.
Tahir Shahbaz said latest communication technologies would be used for resolution of public complaints and provision of speedy justice to litigants in all the provinces. He said Skype technology would help resolve problems of complainants at their doorsteps as people of far flung and remote districts would easily approach ombudsman office for lodging their complaints and its resolution on fast track basis.
He said this technology has already been launched in Islamabad and the same would be soon extended to other provinces. The use of latest technology and automation would ensure development interface among jails, courts and NADRA for monitoring and verification of the prisoners’ record. Tahir Shahbaz said 14 offices of the organization were working in different districts and has addressed around 72,000 complaints and by end of this year the figure may reach t o 74,000 mark.
The Federal Ombudsman said five reports along with recommendations and suggestions have been submitted to Supreme Court of Pakistan regarding jails reforms after consultations with all federating units. He said his office has recommended establishment of district oversight committees for welfare of prisoners, setting up of a jail in every district and expansion of probation and parole facility to reduce pressure on accommodation facilities in jails.
In respect of poor prisoners who could not be released due to non-payment of fine after completion of their punishment tenure, he said, philanthropists would be approached to make payment of fine to ensure their release. He said the KP government would assist IG Prison in providing details of the philanthropists in this regard.
