ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday declared high courts’ decision to release prisoners amidst the pandemic as null and void.
A five-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed announced the decision. The Supreme court overturned Sindh High Court (SHC) and Islamabad High Court (IHC) orders and rejected all release orders of prisoners involved in high profile crimes, drugs case.
Attorney General of Pakistan’s recommendations were accepted and the apex court ordered to arrest all released prisoners.
Cases of prisoners involved in NAB and high profile cases will be decided according to law. The people accused of violence against women and children won’t be released, the court added.
“No work is being done by the government apart from holding meetings. The Outdoor Patients Departments (OPDs) of all hospitals in Islamabad are closed.
Earlier, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had granted bail to 408 prisoners imprisoned at Adiala Jail under minor offences amid coronavirus fears. Chief Justice Athar Minallah had approved bail petitions of the prisoners. Last week, the Supreme Court had suspended orders issued by the IHC relating to the release of under-trial prisoners amidst the coronavirus outbreak.
