KARACHI: The Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), Ume Laila Azhar, led a high-level delegation to women and juvenile jails in Karachi on Wednesday to assess delays in justice and review ongoing prison reform initiatives. The delegation included NCSW Members Zofeen Ibrahim and Seema Maheshwari, along with representatives of the Pakistan Legal United Society (PLUS), Altaf Hussain Khoso and Salma Habib Bhutto.
During the visit, the delegation examined the status of cases involving women and juvenile inmates, met with prisoners, and identified key barriers contributing to delays in the justice process. Discussions focused on expediting trials, improving detention conditions, and expanding access to legal aid for marginalized groups. The team emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to address systemic gaps and ensure timely justice for women and minors awaiting trial.
The delegation also inspected rehabilitation and skill development programmes inside the prisons and appreciated the initiatives being undertaken by PLUS to support prisoner welfare and promote reform. Chairperson Ume Laila Azhar expressed concern over the prolonged trials faced by many women inmates and directed PLUS officials to further strengthen their engagement with female prisoners and assist them in navigating their legal cases. She stressed the need for increased support mechanisms to help women secure justice without undue delay.
NCSW and PLUS have agreed to expand their collaboration to widen the provision of free legal services across Sindh, prioritizing vulnerable women and juvenile detainees. The partnership aims to bolster support systems, advance prison reforms, and promote greater access to justice for marginalized groups.
