November 22, 2017: CODE PAKISTAN held a round of consultations with lawyers of the Sindh Bar Council in Karachi today. The consultations with Sindh Bar were held with an aim to get the lawyers’ perspective on the high number of under-trial prisoners and how to address overcrowding in prisons with special reference to high pre-conviction detention. The consultations were part of the nation-wide study being conducted by CODE PAKISTAN to identify the causes and consequences of high numbers of under-trial prisoners (UTPs) leading to overcrowding in Pakistan’s prisons and coming up with a thorough assessment of the criminal justice system with regard to delays in the processing and adjudication of cases. CODE PAKISTAN is conducting the said study on the formal request of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), which is mandated to implement the National Action Plan (NAP), unanimously agreed upon by the political leadership of the country in December 2014. Revamping of the criminal justice system is the 20th point of NAP. CODE PAKISTAN’s study will be dovetailed to NACTA’s efforts in conducting research on Point 20 of NAP mentioned above.
At the start of the consultation with Sindh Bar, President CODE PAKISTAN Mr. Dilawar Khan gave a presentation about the issue of overcrowding in Pakistan’s prisons, the incidence of pre-conviction detention, and the study on addressing overcrowding in Pakistan’s prisons with special reference to high pre-conviction detention.
Vice Chairman Sindh Bar Council Mr. Malano appreciated the efforts of CODE PAKISTAN in support of point 20 of NAP and assured the full backing of the Sindh Bar Council in exploring recommendations that were both practical and effective. The issues of the lack of resources with the Prosecution Department of the Government of Sindh, the Hudood Laws, lack of judicial capacity, training needs of the criminal justice officials, and the lack of resources with the District Legal Empowerment Committees came under discussion during the consultations.
Other participants of the consultations included Mr. Qurban Ali Malano, Vice Chairman, Sindh Bar Council; Mr. Mahmood-ul-Hassan, Member Sindh Bar Council; Mr. Salahudin Khan Gandapur, Member Sindh Bar Council; Mr. Azam Khan, Member Sindh Bar Council; Mr. Talal Jumani, Advocate High Court; Mr. Azfar Bilal, Advocate High Court; Mr. Murtaza Bajeer, Advocate High Court; Mr. Ghulamullah, Advocate High Court; Mr. Jeelish Kumar, Advocate High Court; Mr. Mohsin Ali Turk, Senior Advisor CODE PAKISTAN; and Ms. Saba Imran, Director Programs CODE PAKISTAN.