ISLAMABAD - These has been witnessed a decrease in load of prisoners in Pakistani jails after the enforcement of National Judicial Policy (NJP) since 2009.
According to the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, after implementation of Judicial Policy 2009, the load on the jails has been decreased considerably as prior to implementation of Judicial Policy there were 63,000 prisoners in various jails of the Punjab province, which is three times the capacity of jails. However, after implementation of judicial policy because of quick disposal of cases, the figure has been decreased to 51,000.
Similarly, in the Province of Sindh the population of jails inmates has been reduced from 20,000 to 13500, which is a substantial reduction. All the four provinces performed very well and about 90 per cent old cases had been decided after enforcement of policy. There are number of sessions divisions where no oldest case is pending adjudication which include Chakwal, Layyah, TT Singh, Mianwali, Jhelum, Kashmore, Tharparker, Mithi etc. as per statistics the District Judiciary of four Provinces have decided 7299838 cases after enforcement of National Judicial Policy.
During the period under reference, the district judiciary has decided 5,599,363 cases, which include 1,222,241 old cases. The District Judiciary Balochistan in particular did very well. It is currently poised to decide any civil or criminal case within a period of 6 to 9 months from the date of filing of a suit or complaint, which is a remarkable achievement. In the same way, the District Judiciary of Sindh had decided 652,393 cases, which include 126,481 old cases. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the district courts decided 907823, which included 151,497 old cases. The NJC of Pakistan had observed that the policy had achieved the target of disposal of old and new cases and deficiency if any was on account of cogent reasons beyond the control of courts which include shortage of judicial officers, non submission of challans, non-production of prisoners and frequent adjournments.
The committee thinks that process of dispensation of justice including non-submission of challans, delays in investigations, non-production of under-trial prisoners. It resolved that regular meetings of Registrars, MITs, Home Secretaries, IG Prison and Directors (Reclamation & Probations) should be held to monitor and improve the performance of their respective institutions in the administration of justice.
The committee stressed upon the Provincial Governments for effective use of Parole law for releasing deserving convicts and stressed upon the courts to invoke the provisions of probation of law for release of deserving offenders.
In order to check filing of litigation in fake names, the commission resolved that the NADRA should be taken on board to verify the credential of parties.
It took serious exception to the malpractices by the Revenue Authorities and asked the Provincial Governments for computerization of revenue record and resolved that if such arrangements are completed. It would substantially reduce the civil litigation.
The committee had shown dismay on non-production of prisoners for remand and trial before the courts and observed that production of under trial prisoners before court is their statutory rights thus it should not be compromised on any cost. The Committee resolved that the District & Sessions Judges should hold meetings with the concerned jail authorities to ensure production of UTPs on the date of hearings.