Punjab CM Maryam highlights prison reforms, stresses inmates' welfare at national conference

Islamabad (Web Desk): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has highlighted the importance of improving prison conditions and safeguarding the rights of inmates.

Addressing the National Conference on Prison Reforms at the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday, the chief minister said she wished to avoid political discussion and instead focus solely on prison reforms and the welfare of prisoners.

She said that the Punjab government had introduced several reform initiatives, including video-link facilities for inmates to meet their families and an emergency button system to improve safety inside prisons.

Referring to her personal experience, Maryam Nawaz said her time in Adiala Jail, including a period spent in solitary confinement, gave her a deeper understanding of the hardships faced by prisoners.

She said she and her family endured numerous difficulties during her incarceration.

She noted that solitary confinement and poor prison conditions can have serious physical and psychological effects on inmates, underscoring the need for mental health services, counselling and rehabilitation programmes within prisons.

Maryam Nawaz stressed that protecting prisoners' fundamental human rights and ensuring transparent justice are essential responsibilities of the state. She said prisons should serve as centres for rehabilitation and reform rather than functioning solely as places of punishment.