| Indian committee to inspect Central Prison Karachi |
| Tuesday, 10 June 2008 | |
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The Indian Judicial committee from New Delhi has arrived in Karachi to see the human right violations being done with Indian jail inmates and review the conditions for their release. The committee will be assisted in Karachi by Sindh Home Secretary Arif Ahmed Khan who will apprise them of the conditions of the jail inmates in Central Prison Karachi. The committee will visit jails from June 9 to June 14 in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. According to reports an agreement has taken place between the two countries to see the jail conditions and explore possibilities to get these Indian jail inmates released. Tight security arrangements have been made for the judicial committee. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has declared this committee as the guests of the state. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised the home department of these cities to assist these guests and make arrangements to facilitate them. It may be noted that at present there are about 3,000 prisoners in central jail Karachi against the capacity of only 1,100. According to informed sources, the conditions in Karachi’s central prison are pathetic and rampant corruption is reported where prisoners are not produced before the courts on time due to a lack of jail vans. Moreover, because of shortage of staff, the prisoners are not able to get escorted to the courts and are forced to languish in jails despite the fact that they have passed their sentences. However, owing to the recent relief provided by the Prime Minister, a large number of such prisoners have been released. Proper civic facilities are not provided to the inmates at the central prison and prisoners would pass many days for want of medical attention. |
