RAWALPINDI, March 5: The advisor to chief minister Punjab on law and human rights, Rana Ijaz Ahmed Khan, on Wednesday visited the Adiala Jail and met the five Iraqi prisoners, who attempted to commit suicide on Saturday.

The advisor directed the medical officer and deputy superintendent of the jail to provide proper medical facilities and hygienic food to the prisoners.

Rana Ijaz said he would contact the United Nations agency concerned for granting refugee status to the prisoners as they were interested in leaving the country.

The chief minister Punjab, Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, has taken notice of the suicide attempt and ordered an inquiry into the matter, he added.

The government has decided to investigate each and every case of human rights violations, he said.

The advisor said media should highlight the human rights violations in the country.

The Iraqi prisoners told Rana Ijaz that they were languishing in the prison due to documentation problems.

The prisoners said they tried to commit suicide to draw the attention of media and authorities.

APP ADDS: Punjab government has decided to start a free legal aid programme for the people.

This was stated by the advisor to the CM Punjab on law and human rights, Rana Ijaz Ahmed Khan, here on Wednesday.

The programme has been chalked out in collaboration with district bar associations under which lawyers will provide free legal aid to the people, the advisor said. The implementation of the programme will start from Rawalpindi, he added.

A Supreme Court lawyer, Naheeda Mahbub Elahi, has been appointed as the chairperson of the legal aid cell, Rawalpindi. Ms Naheeda is also the secretary-general of the Human Rights Society of Pakistan, Rawalpindi.