Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday ordered provincial government to pay the amount of 'Diat' and fine of 37 convicts of low-income group to the tune of Rs330 million in one week. A two-member SHC bench headed by Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M Sheikh issued these directives in a petition related to the destitute convicts, who have been languishing in different prisons/jails of Sindh for non-payment of Arsh, Diat and Daman though they have completed their respective sentences.
Secretary Home Sindh told the court that approval for payment of Diat has been granted and it would be made soon, receiving the remarks from Chief Justice to pay it immediately. Additional Advocate General informed the court that the Diat amount of two convicts totalled at Rs265 million whereas the amount on the account for other convicts is not high. Chief Justice also ordered to reduce the age of convict for payment of Diat and directed for legislation in this regard.
Provincial government attorney told the court that a special committee for this purpose sent the recommendations to parliament for reducing the age for payment of Diat. Chief Justice said court can't give direction to the parliament, but the matter should be considered in the public interest.
Petition, which made federal and provincial government respondents submitted that both governments failed to either provide financial assistance or soft loans to such convicts/prisoners under the Diat, Arsh and Daman Fund Rules, 2007. Petitioner submitted that despite the mechanism provided under the law the governments have virtually done nothing to come to the rescue of the poor convicts languishing in jail just for want of payment of Arsh or Diat or Daman.
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