PESHAWAR: Over 100 prisoners involved in petty nature offences have been set free in different districts after their cases were disposed of by relevant judicial officers during their visits to prisons.

According to a press release, in pursuance of the directives issued by Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, the administrative judges of the high court advised the district and sessions judges to conduct special visits to prisons before the festival of Eidul Fitr so prisoners involved in minor cases could be released.

The task of the district and sessions judges was to inspect the jails and guide the magistrates hearing the cases there.

In this manner magistrates disposed of almost 102 petty nature cases. The highest number of 30 prisoners was released by the district judiciary of Peshawar, followed by Kohat, Swat, Chitral, Lower Dir, Bannu, DI Khan, Shangla, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi, Malakand, Buner, Tank, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Hangu, Karak, Haripur, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Battagram, Kohistan and Torghar.

Those inmates who were involved in serious nature cases could not be released but directions for their wellbeing were issued. The judicial officers directed the prisoners should be provided better environment on the special occasion of Eid. A cleanliness drive should be launched and better food provided to the prisoners.

As per arrangements of Wafaqi Muhtasib’s office in partnership with some NGOs and philanthropists the district judges of Peshawar, Mansehra and Haripur distributed Eid garments and gifts among the children and women inside the jails.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2017