Video-link facility in Adiala Jail: SC expresses concern over non-availability

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed concern over non-availability of video-link facility in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi.

A three-member bench, headed by Justice Mushir Alam, heard the bail petitions of secretary Union Council, Rawat, and others.

The court issued notices to Attorney General for Pakistan, Advocate General, Punjab and Advocate General, Islamabad, to apprise the court about the government's policy regarding video-link trial.

"Providing video-link facility is not difficult in the age of technology," remarked Justice Mushir Alam.

The petitioner's counsel, Shah Khawar, informed the bench that there was no progress in the case of his client.

The additional prosecutor of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) said that it was due to non-availability of video link in Adiala Jail.

He, however, stated that due to coronavirus the trials had started on the video-link in several cases including that of former president Asif Ali Zardari.

The NAB prosecutor informed the court that NAB wrote letters to the IG prison and the federal government but no progress had been made so far.

The counsel for another accused, Javed Akhtar Chaudhry, prayed before the court to grant bail to his client.

The case was adjourned indefinitely.

A notice has also been issued to the attorney general for Pakistan, advocate general Punjab and advocate general Islamabad to brief the court about the government's policy regarding conducting of trials via video link.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020