Global News

I

SLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to provide relief to old-age prisoners throughout the country. This was announced by Federal Minister Asad Umar while posting a tweet on micro blogging website.

He said the Prime Minister has directed authorities to craft policy paving the way for release of prisoners who are 65 years old, sick, and not involved in heinous crimes.

The decision came days after the departure of former PM Nawaz Sharif, disqualified and convicted by Pakistani courts, to London on health grounds. The former PM had been granted bail both by Islamabad High Court and Lahore High Court for medical reasons.

His release and exit from the country triggered a debate on national, social media as well as different quarters of the country, as some terming it as ‘selective justice for the ruling elite.’

Nawaz Sharif was granted 4 weeks bail by Lahore High Court to travel abroad for treatment, and the same could be extended if deemed necessary by doctors.

Writing on Twitter, Asad Umar termed the Prime Minister’s decision to work out a policy to free over 65-year old prisoners who are poor, sick and not facing jail term in a serious offence is a step towards a Pakistan where the government’s top priority is the welfare of the downtrodden segment of society, not the powerful and well-off.

The minister added that this would be first step towards such a Pakistan where same laws exist for both poor and rich people.

It may be recalled that on Nov 19, the federal cabinet accorded in-principle approval for extending relief to over 65-year old prisoners and juvenile involved in petty crimes and sick inmates who could not be treated in jails.

Soon after the cabinet meeting, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan briefed media and said that the data of such prisoners was being collected from the provinces.

She said the cabinet was informed that the committee on jail reforms would present its report in the next meeting.

https://regionaltelegraph.com/2019/11/22/pm-orders-relief-for-old-sick-prisoners/