Calls on Punjab Chief Minister and Senior Authorities to Take Notice and Ensure Justice
Islamabad (City Reporter)
Salamatullah Khan Niazi Rokhri, a resident of District Khushab, has alleged that prison authorities are attempting to provide unlawful relief to a convict serving a sentence for the murder of his brother by granting a two-year remission on the basis of Quran memorization (Hifz-e-Quran).
Addressing a press conference at the National Press Club Islamabad along with his associates, Salamatullah Khan Rokhri called upon Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and other senior authorities to take notice of the matter and ensure justice. He warned that if his grievances were not addressed, he would pursue legal remedies and approach both the High Court and the Supreme Court.
He stated that the convicted prisoner, Hassan Raza, is currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail and that he had received information suggesting efforts were being made to secure a reduction in the convict’s sentence on the basis of having memorized the Holy Quran.
According to Salamatullah Khan Rokhri, complaints were submitted to the relevant authorities, which led to an inquiry at the level of the Deputy Inspector General of Prisons. He claimed that during the inquiry, various documents, witness statements, and records from a religious seminary were presented, indicating that the prisoner had completed the memorization of the Holy Quran before being imprisoned.
He further stated that records from the seminary, along with statements from teachers and classmates, allegedly confirmed that the convict had already completed Hifz-e-Quran prior to his incarceration.
Salamatullah Khan Rokhri argued that if a person memorized the Quran before entering prison, he should not be entitled to the same sentence remission granted to inmates who complete Hifz-e-Quran while serving their sentences. He emphasized that the matter should be investigated transparently to prevent any miscarriage of justice.
He alleged that despite the submission of evidence and records, efforts to grant relief to the convicted prisoner were continuing. He said that the victim’s family had already endured the pain of losing a loved one and that any unlawful reduction in the sentence would amount to further injustice.
He urged Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab Home Department, the Inspector General of Prisons, and other relevant authorities to conduct an impartial investigation and ensure that all parties are given an opportunity to present their position.
During the press conference, Salamatullah Khan Rokhri reiterated that if his complaints were not addressed, he would seek legal recourse through the High Court and the Supreme Court. He also appealed to the media to raise the issue before the concerned authorities so that the requirements of justice could be fulfilled.