Panel wants adequate security for Indians in Pakistan jails

An India-Pakistan judicial panel,which visited Lahores Jinnah Hospital where Sarabjit Singh was undergoing treatment,has recommended that jail authorities

An India-Pakistan judicial panel,which visited Lahores Jinnah Hospital where Sarabjit Singh was undergoing treatment,has recommended that jail authorities ensure adequate security for all Indian prisoners to avoid such incidents in the future.

The committee noted the unfortunate incident of violent attacks on two Indian prisoners including Chambail Singh at Kot Lakhpat Jail,Lahore and recommended that jail authorities should ensure adequate security for all Indian prisoners to avoid any such incidents in the future, the committee said in a joint statement after its sixth meeting.

It said the committee will review the arrangements during its next visit to Kot Lakhpat Jail. The committee also recommended that detailed report of the official inquiry conducted by relevant Pakistani authorities into the April 26 assault on Sarabjit be shared with the members of the panel at the earliest.

The committee noted that the mortal remains of Chambail Singh were sent back to India after nearly two months of his death on January 15 and that the copy of the autopsy report has not yet been shared with the Indian side. It was recommended that the post mortem report of Chambail Singh be shared with the Indian side without any further delay, the statement said.

The committee was also informed about the escape of an undertrial Indian fisherman from Karachis Malir Jail on February 11 and detention of the crew of the two Indian vessels along with its cargo,off Pasni,Pakistan on April 18-19.

A total number of 535 Indian prisoners including 483 fishermen 11 of them juveniles lodged in District Jail Malir,eight prisoners believed to be Indian nationals from Rawalpindis Adiyala Jail and 36 from Kot Lakhpat Jail were presented before the committee during its visit to the jails between April 26 and May 1.

The panel comprised Justice Retd A S Gill and Justice Retd M A Khan from the Indian side,and Justice Retd Abdul Qadir Chaudhry,Justice Retd Nasir Aslam Zahid and Justice Retd Mian Muhammad Ajmal from Pakistan side.

The recommendations

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Consular Access Agreement signed between the two governments in May 2008 should be implemented in letter and spirit and consular access must be provided within three months of arrest and not after completion of prison term.

Consular access must be provided immediately to all prisoners who have not got it yet and the process of nationality confirmation should start.

Respective courts must be requested for expeditious trial of all undertrial prisoners. Respective High Commissions should create a panel of reputed lawyers/firms to pursue the cases.

Mechanism should be developed for humanitarian consideration to be given to women,juveniles,mentally challenged,aged and all those prisoners suffering from serious illness/permanent disability.

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Indian prisoners like Pakistani prisoners in Karachi jail should be allowed to make phone calls to relatives in India at least once a month.