KARACHI: Caretaker Minister for Home and Prisons Sindh Brig (retd) Haris Nawaz assured Committee for Welfare of Prisoners (CWP) of maximum possible support for welfare of inmates in prisons.

Talking to 5-member delegation of CWP led by Barrister Haya Zahid, who called on him here Minister issued necessary directives to Home Secretary. Haris Nawaz appreciated endeavours of committee and hoped that committee and Home Department would work jointly for welfare of prisoners.

He was briefed CWP has been working for last many years in field of legal aid, legal empowerment, welfare and rehabilitation as well as research and policy work while it also provides legal representation to first-time under-trial prisoners, who were poor and needy and were implicated in petty offences.

Minister was informed that 2,838 prisoners were interviewed and provided with ‘legal advice’ by qualified lawyers in previous two years by CWP and 2,690 vakalatnamas (power of attorneys) were signed and filed in courts while 2235 cases were disposed of with certified judicial orders.

Committee successfully pleaded 1,349 applications for bail and also assisted 41 prisoners in submission of fines and surety. Committee also discussed with Home Minister financial issues being faced by CWP and requested support. Sindh Home Secretary Syed Aijaz Ali Shah was present in meeting.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 31 2023

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