ISLAMABAD -Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Sunday visited the Central Jail Mianwali and ordered to release five prisoners confined for non-payment of "Diyat" forthwith.
All the five prisoners brought into the notice of the Chief Justice that they were facing confinement due to non-payment of "Diyat" (payment to legal heirs of the person who was killed by the accused) of just Rs 109,800.
The amount was paid by the jail authorities and the prisoners were released.
The Chief Justice spent a busy day and issued directions/orders after hearing grievances of prisoners.
Chief Justice Lahore High Court, Justice Umer Atta Bandial, Registrar Lahore High Court, Secretary Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, District and Sessions Judge Mianwali, Chief Secretary, Punjab, Inspector General, prisons
and other police officers accompanied the Chief Justice during the visit.
The Chief Justice visited the jail building including kitchen, hospital, juvenile and women prisoners portion and prisoners wards. He heard in detail the problems and difficulties being faced by the prisoners and issued directions at the spot to redress their grievances.
Moreover, the Chief Justice also ordered the release of other six prisoners within a week who were confined in jail due to non-payment of Diyat amount of Rs. 1394315. The Chief Secretary, Punjab assured to pay the amount for the release of six prisoners.