IHC Seeks Response From Govt Over Prisoner’s Request For Better Treatment

Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah has summoned an answer from the federal government pertaining to the request made by a sick prisoner whereby he demanded the provision of medical treatment.

Following the Lahore High Court’s decision to allow former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to leave the country on medical grounds, a prisoner on death row requested the Islamabad High Court to provide him medical treatment.

The prisoner, who is suffering from a severe eye condition, wrote to Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah to request that he be provided medical treatment.

IHJ CJ Athar Minallah directed that the prisoner’s application be converted into a writ petition and summoned an answer from the federal government.

Meanwhile, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar has said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had made a decision to initiate a policy regarding the release of sick prisoners above the age of 65.

In a tweet posted from his official account, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Asad Umar stated that the PM had directed that a policy regarding the release of sick and old prisoners who had not committed any heinous crime be made.

وزیراعظم کا فیصلہ کے 65 سال سے زیادہ عمر کے غریب قیدی جو بیمار ہیں اور کسی گھناؤنے جرم کے مرتکب نہیں، ان کو رہا کرنے کی پالیسی بنائی جائے، ایک اور قدم ہے ایک ایسے پاکستان کی طرف جس میں حکومت کی اولین ترجیح ملک کا کمزور طبقہ ہے نا کے طاقتور اور دولتمند

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) November 21, 2019

He added that this was a move towards a Pakistan where the government’s top priority was the marginalised class rather than the rich and powerful.

In a recent development, Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari lauded the decision by the prime minister to release sick prisoners over the age of 65. She added, “If courts can give instant relief to the rich and infamous, humanitarian considerations for the poor prisoners should also be in place.”

Great decision by PM to release over 65 yrs sick male prisoners and over 65 yrs female prisoners. if courts can give instant relief to the rich & infamous, humanitarian considerations for the poor prisoners should also be in place. Justice for all.

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) November 22, 2019