ISLAMABAD: The district administration in Islamabad has decided to release prisoners jailed over petty crimes amid fears of coronavirus outbreak in overcrowded jails and courts.

The Islamabad High Court has directed the authorities to release the inmates jailed over petty cases and in first phase 230 prisoners would be freed on bail. Those freed were jailed for their involvement in petty cases of dishonored cheques, beggars act and other crimes. It is pertinent to mention here that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday ordered to release prisoners accused of minor crimes on bail from the Adiala Jail in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. IHC Chief Justice Athar Minullah conducted hearing on a case pertaining to 1,362 prisoners being incarcerated in overcrowded jails. Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Hamza Shafqat assured the court that no prisoner held at Adiala Jail has been infected with the coronavirus. The IHC directed the deputy commissioner to appoint an officer to oversee the matters pertaining to surety bonds of the detainees. Before releasing a prisoner, proper screening shall be conducted by authorized officials nominated by the Ministry of National Health Services and Coordination, Government of Pakistan or the Director General (Health), Government of Pakistan, as the case may be. The officials shall also ensure the screening of fresh admittance,” reads the verdict