PESHAWAR: Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Musarrat Hilali on Tuesday visited the Peshawar Central Prison and examined living conditions for the inmates, including women and juvenile persons.

She was accompanied by district and sessions judge Ashfaque Taj, the senior civil judge (administration) and a judicial magistrate.

On the directions of the chief justice, judicial officers disposed of the cases of petty nature against 21 prisoners, who were freed to celebrate the coming Eidul Fitr festival with families.

CJ Hilali inspected video-link cabins and saw under-trial prisoners attend hearings in various criminal courts of the district. She also went to the cells where terrorists and militants, juvenile people and women were kept and checked the quality of food made in the kitchen.

Judicial officers dispose of minor cases

The jail superintendent briefed her about the prison’s affairs and issues of inmates. He said Eid gifts were distributed to 62 juvenile offenders, 27 female accused and six children.

The chief justice also spoke to prisoners, learned about their problems and promised their early resolution.

During the last visit to the jail a few days ago, she found the detained juvenile people to be living in a miserable condition. They were later provided with new clothes and soaps.

Also, 26 foreigners, including three juvenile persons, were deported by authorities on her orders.

The chief justice directed the jail superintendent to make the premises a place of reformation for new offenders through formal and religious education.

She said that prisoners were there on the orders of the courts of law, so it was the duty of the judiciary to ensure that they’re taken care of.

The chief justice also proposed the installation of the latest closed-circuit television cameras in juvenile barracks to maintain peace and safeguard minors from abuse and torture.

She said that her main focus would be on the improvement of court and jail affairs.

“Though our jails are overcrowded, the superintendents should show exemplary conduct towards inmates,” he said.

The chief justice also announced that she would regularly make surprise visits to jails in the province for the betterment of the inmates.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2023