Suo motu notice should be in public interest, not in the individual’s: PM Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Saturday said the basic purpose of the suo motu jurisdiction was for it to be exercised in the public interest instead of for an individual, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Talking to the media outside Lahore’s Central Jail, known as Kot Lakhpat Jail, after visiting the facility and enquiring about the conditions of prisoners while talking with them, the prime minister questioned how many times the court took suo motu notice of the issues pertaining to prisons and their inmates.

“Did you ask jail officials how many prisoners they have because the basic purpose of a suo motu notice is the public interest — not an individual’s.

“How many suo motu were taken regarding issues such as justice with prisoners and their betterment.”

The premier said there were 4,000 prisoners in Lahore Central Jail, 50,000 in Punjab and hundreds of thousands across the country.

“There are thousands of such prisoners who can be immediately released in accordance with the law. How much work have the courts done regarding this? These are the questions which the nation asks of me and all institutions.”

PM said that the suo motu jurisdiction was solely meant for issues pertaining to the public interest, adding that “there can be no other purpose made out for the suo motu notice — neither does the Constitution allow it nor the law.”

PM Shehbaz also ordered the Punjab authorities to immediately chalk out a plan to establish dedicated hospitals in jails for medical treatment of the prisoners and providing quality sanitation services.

The prime minister, who visited Kot Lakhpat Jail to meet and greet the prisoners on Eid-ul-Fitr, directed the Punjab chief secretary to ready the plan for dedicated hospital in the jail within a week. If succeeded, the project would be expanded across the country, he added.

He said though the prisoners were jailed for any crime, the denial of medical and sanitation facilities to them was sheer injustice.

The prime minister, who interacted with the prisoners and distributed Eid gifts among them, said he had held meeting with Punjab chief secretary, IG Prisons and jail superintendent to discuss the problem faced by the prisoners.

The prime minister expressed his concerns over the “pathetic” condition of toilets in almost all jails which he said needed to be improved as improper sanitation and toilet facilities would beget diseases.

He said currently there were around 8,000 prisoners in two Lahore jails and it took almost months for a sick prisoners to undergo required medical tests, deteriorating their health conditions.

He also called for operationalisation of the basic health equipment available in the jail and instructed that the treatment process should be made easy and transparent.

The prime minister also instructed for providing vocational training to the prisoners to make them a productive citizens and enable them earn livelihood after their release.

He stressed the need for measures for facilitation of those languishing in jails just for lacking money even after completing their sentences. He urged the superior judiciary to take notice of the situation to address the miseries of the suffering prisoners.

He said by putting aside personal interests and through collective actions and wisdom, the country could overcome the pervading challenges.

The prisoners also shared their issues with the prime minister who instructed the relevant authorities to take up the cases with relevant ministries and institutions.