ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: A total of 136 persons are languishing in 37 jails across Pakistan even after serving their sentences as they are unable to pay fines, the National Assembly has been told.
In a written reply to a question by Abdul Qadir Patel, the Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari told that House that 74 persons imprisoned in 22 Punjab jails are unable to pay their fines, 37 in six Sindh jails, 12 in seven Khyber Pakhtunkhwa jails, and 13 in two Balochistan jails.
Province-wise and Jail-wise detail of the Prisoners in jails who are unable to pay their fines;
Dr Shireen Mazari told that the National Commission for Human Rights and the Ministry of Human Rights take notice of the prisoners languishing in jails through visits of the jails in different parts of the Country.
The minister apprised that the Ministry of Human Rights provides financial assistance to the prisoners who are unable to pay Diyat, Arsh and Daman.
For this purpose, she told that, the Ministry of Human Rights has established “Diyat, Arsh and Daman Fund”. The Federal Administrative Committee and Provincial Sub-Committee supervise the management of these funds.
In addition, she told that the subject of prisons relates to the Ministry of Interior and Provincial Home Departments. However, in exercise of powers conferred under sub-section (2) of section 338G of Pakistan Penal Code, the federal government has established “Diyat, Arsh and Daman Fund” for the convicts, who on account of poverty and weak financial position are confined in jails.
Shireen Mazari told that the Ministry of Human Rights administers Diyat, Arsh and Daman Fund to provide financial assistance to the prisoners who are languishing in jails on account of non-payment of Diyat, Arsh and Daman.
