IHC CJ orders release of minor crimes prisoners from Adiala Jail

Abdullah Malik

ISLAMABAD: Following the outbreak of the Corona virus (COVID-19) and fear of affecting the overcrowded prison of the Adiyala the Islamabad High Court (IH-C) on Friday directed government to release all prisoners of minor crimes after submitting the surety bonds.

A copy of the detailed court verdict available with The Frontier Post mentioned that the court directed Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad to assign responsibility of an officer regarding surety bonds adding that prisoner who is unable to submit the surety bonds the government will pay for them.

The IHC Chief Justice, Justice Athar Minallah mentioned that emergency has been imposed across the country to counter the threat of the disease adding that our nation is brave but precautionary measures should be taken for safety.

The court while barring police from arrest of new people mentioned that those prisoners should be releases who are not a threat to public lives.

The court in its order mentioned that this order is only applicable for those prisoners whose cases are sub/judice in Islamabad courts adding that those prisoners who bail applications already rejected could benefit from this verdict.

The court while mentioning Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration added that a detailed report of the released prisoner should be submitted in court till 24th March as well directed Ministry of Health to screen all prisoner for the virus following their release.

Compulsory Corona Tests: IHC orders to place matter before NSC (APP): The Islamabad High Court Friday ordered to place the matter before National Security Committee for making it compulsory to conduct corona tests of Pakistanis returning from abroad.

The bench summoned comments from the Federation and Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis till March 24, in this regard.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah conducted the hearing on a petition challenging a notification making it compulsory to conduct coronavirus tests for the people arriving from abroad, filed by a citizen Maham Nawaz.

During the course of proceeding, the petitioner adopted the stance that the decision for compulsory coronavirus tests of citizens coming from abroad was not appropriate.    

He prayed the court to declare such notification dated March 17, issued by the Civil Aviation Authority as null and void, so that people could return their country easily.

The court ordered to place the matter before NSC and sought reply from the respondents including Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis till next hearing.