Some 80 women prisoners languishing in Peshawar Central Prison was yet to get relief with Women Rights Protection Amended Ordinance 2006', Promulgated by President Pervez Musharraf on Friday to facilitate the release of women detainees in jails on various charges other than murder and terrorism.
According to Peshawar Central Jail officials they have not been received any official notification to release the women detained in the central prison of the capital city therefore no release has been made under the recently promulgated ordinance 2006.
"Total 88 females are detained in the prison out of which some 80 females have been detained under various charges other than murder and terrorism" Assistant Superintendent Peshawar Central Prison Mohammad Ayub told PPI.
He said though after promulgation of Women Right Protection Ordinance 2006 various jails of the country has been releasing women detained under charges other than murder and terrorism but the Peshawar Central Jail yet to receive an official notification in this regard. "We are waiting for the official letter in this regard after which the Additional Session judge would have to decide how many female prisoners would be released," he added.
Ayub said presently 88 females are detained with eight children in the jail however only 5 are charged with clause 302, after committing murders and three other female detainees are being sentenced for 25 years imprisonment for various crimes. " No female charged under terrorism act has been detained in Peshawar Central Prison therefore under the recently promulgated ordinance most of them would be released".
Giving details, the Assistant Superintendent Peshawar Central Prison said most of the females are being detained under drug smuggling cases while a few of them are charged with 302. " 6 foreigner ladies are detained after being arrested with contraband items," he added saying they would also get relief with the ordinance.
Ayub welcomed the promulgation of the ordinance with the hope the releases would decrease burden on Peshawar Central Prison, which he said was already been over crowded.
It is to be worth mentioned that Women Rights Protection Amended Ordinance 2006, signed by the president at a high profile meeting on Friday, will provide for immediate release on bail of about 1,300 women languishing in various jails. The ordinance would continue to provide relief to women in the future as well.