PESHAWAR, July 27: The Peshawar High Court chief justice paid a surprise visit to the district jail at Timergara, Lower Dir on Wednesday and inspected all the barracks, cells, kitchen, hospital and library at the facility.

The jail houses 575 prisoners out of which 275 are alleged hardcore militants. The ‘militants’ told Chief Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan that they had been confined for years without any trial.

On enquiry, the jail superintendent informed the CJ that almost all such inmates had been transferred to Timergara jail recently. The chief justice showed great concern about the non-commencement of their trials for a long period of time and directed all the presiding officers of anti terrorism courts as well as district and sessions judges to ensure early initiation of fair and free trial.

During visit to the jail dispensary, the inmates complained about poor medical facilities, particularly low quality medicines being administered to them.

The doctor on duty informed the CJ that he was not well acquainted with the affairs of jail hospital as he was there on a makeshift arrangement.

The chief justice directed the Lower Dir district and sessions judge to forthwith take up the matter with the director general health and services in Peshawar.

During his visit to the kitchen, the feedback given by prisoners was not found satisfactory.

The chief justice noted that the quality of food was poor which required much more improvement.

Similarly, the chief justice observed with great concern that the overall sanitation and cleanliness of barracks and washrooms required the attention of jail administration.—APP