Punjab Prisons Overcrowded, HRCP Dands Reforms

News Desk

LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called for urgent reforms to the criminal justice system as prisons across the country remain severely overcrowded, with Punjab’s 45 prisons operating at more than 190 percent of their designated capacity as of September 2026.

In its policy paper titled Beyond the Prison Wall: Reducing Overcrowding in Pakistan’s Prisons, released on Tuesday, the HRCP emphasized that prison overcrowding is not merely a matter of constructing more facilities but rather a symptom of deeper systemic issues, including ineffective bail mechanisms, prolonged trials, slow investigations, and limited use of probation and parole.

The report highlights that Punjab currently houses 74,773 prisoners, far exceeding its designated capacity of 39,204, resulting in an alarming overcrowding rate of 190.73 percent.

The report further reveals that under-trial prisoners constitute nearly 74 percent of the total prison population, with 54,932 individuals awaiting trial.

This figure has risen from 51,428 under-trial prisoners among 70,069 inmates in September 2025, when overcrowding was recorded at 183.35 percent. The HRCP’s findings indicate a national crisis, with similar overcrowding issues reported across the country.

In light of these findings, the HRCP is urging the government to take immediate action to reform the criminal justice system, focusing on expediting trials and improving bail processes.

The commission’s recommendations aim to alleviate the burden on prisons and ensure that the rights of detainees are upheld. Stakeholders are expected to convene in the coming weeks to discuss potential reforms and strategies to address this pressing issue.