KOHAT/PESHAWAR: Justice Qalandar Ali Khan of the Peshawar High Court visited the Kohat prison on Tuesday and expressed concern over lack of facilities and accommodation for female prisoners there.

Justice Khan was accompanied by district and sessions judge, Kohat, Ahmed Sultan Tareen and civil judge Raja Mohammad Shoeb.

He listened to the complaints of the prisoners and ordered resolution of their problems. He also ordered release of 11 prisoners involved in petty crimes.

He was told that construction work on expansion of jail was continuing with a cost of Rs90 million after which it would get a hospital, a mosque, a female barrack, a juvenile cell and a separate portion for local prisoners.

The PHC judge said an additional female barrack should be established because a large number of the inmates were imprisoned with their children and had other requirements.

The jail superintendent told the judge that two-third portion of the jail was with the army which had established a separate cell, which was causing problems to adjust the prisoners.

The judge ordered ensuring all the facilities and spacious accommodation to the inmates, particularly the women and children.

Meanwhile, Justice Qalandar Ali also visited the Lakki Marwat district prison and issued necessary instructions to the jail authorities about facilities provided to the prisoners, according to a press release issued in Peshawar.

Justice Khan was received at the prison by Lakki district and sessions judge Mohammad Aamir Nazir, senior civil judge Syed Hamid Qasim and jail superintendent Ghulam Rabbani.

The PHC judge heard cases of 10 prisoners arrested in petty nature cases and ordered their release.

The judge inspected the barracks, including juvenile, and checked the hygiene of the kitchen, availability of health facilities and drinking water.

The high court judge also met the prisoners, inquired them about their problems and issued necessary instructions in this respect.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2017