RE-EVALUATING THE TREATMENT OF DEATH ROW PRISONERS IN PAKISTAN: RECENT SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN RULING AND ITS IMPACT

Abstract

The treatment of death row prisoners in Pakistan has long been a subject of concern, with particular attention to the conditions under which these inmates are housed while awaiting the final decisions on their appeals. This paper examines the recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which addresses the issue of whether prisoners under a sentence of death should be held in separate barracks or cells, rather than the traditional death cells, until their appeals are conclusively resolved. By analyzing this ruling, the paper explores its implications for the rights and welfare of death row inmates, the legal precedents it sets, and its potential impact on the broader criminal justice system in Pakistan. The study further discusses how this decision reflects  a shift towards more humane treatment within the penal system and considers the challenges of implementing such reforms. Ultimately, this paper aims to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on prison reform and the protection of human rights in Pakistan.