July 23, 2026
By Hafizullah Storai Sherani
ISLAMABAD
Correctional facilities across the country are operating under pressure, significantly above their official capacities, with the primary driver being a massive backlog of pending cases, according to data compiled by Mishal Pakistan, a research organization.
The study exposes Pakistan’s criminal justice system and penal infrastructure as facing a severe crisis, where systemic overcrowding in prisons and prolonged judicial delays have raised critical questions regarding fundamental human rights and administrative capacity. The study reveals that the overall prison system in Pakistan is operating at approximately 150% of its sanctioned capacity, housing a total population of 102,026 inmates.
Punjab: The highest level of overcrowding is in Punjab’s prisons, operating at 166.1% capacity with 61,813 inmates
Sindh: Prisons in Sindh are operating at 161.4% capacity, housing 22,499 inmates.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s facilities stand at 102.5% capacity with 13,364 inmates.
Balochistan: National data indicates that Balochistan’s prisons are at 115.6% capacity , housing 2,919 inmates.
Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan: AJK facilities house 764 inmates, while Gilgit-Baltistan holds 372 inmates.
The study also shows that the majority of individuals held in prisons nationwide are not convicted criminals, but rather under-trial prisoners, whose cases remain pending before the courts.
Speaking to Voicepk, HRCP Director Farah Zia cited a report from the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), noting that under-trial prisoners constituted 66% of the prison population in 2017, a figure that has now escalated past 73%.
“It is a critical and concerning reality that individuals whose guilt has not been proven remain incarcerated for years,” she said. “This is despite the fact that a large portion of them should not be in prison.”
She highlighted the extent of delays in the appeals process, pointing out that approximately 70% of death sentences handed down by trial courts are ultimately overturned by the Supreme Court. Due to these delays, a significant number of individuals spend a substantial portion of their lives behind bars before a final verdict is reached.
Discussing the causes of prolonged litigation and judicial delays, prominent legal expert Barrister Sifat Khyal Wazir told Voicepk that the consequences of procedural bottlenecks affect not only the individual prisoner but also impose an unsustainable burden on prison administration.
Elaborating on responsibility for these delays, Barrister Wazir remarked that the judiciary alone could not be held responsible for these prolonged delays.
“The police, investigation agencies, and all participating parties to a case share equal responsibility, as failing to execute legal duties efficiently has unfortunately become a routine practice across all levels.”
Farah Zia echoed these concerns, emphasizing that investigations and prosecutions are rarely completed within prescribed constitutional and statutory timeframes. While state authorities often focus on constructing new facilities at significant financial cost, the actual need lies in enforcing the constitutional right to bail and activating parole and probation mechanisms to alleviate unnecessary prison density.
Mishal Pakistan’s data underscores a nationwide disparity of 150% or more between prison capacity and inmate populations.
Zia explained that Pakistan is a state party to the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT). Under this international instrument, maintaining severe overcrowding is categorized as inhuman and degrading treatment. This situation severely compromises inmate health, access to clean drinking water, sanitation, medical facilities, and psychological well-being.
Balochistan
In contrast to the broader national metrics, the administrative framework and figures for Balochistan present a distinct picture.
Central and District Prisons: Balochistan’s 12 prisons house 3,055 inmates against an official capacity of 2,764, representing a net overcrowding of 291 inmates (10.5%). The highest pressure remains on Central Prison Quetta (+618 inmates) and Central Prison Gaddani (+337 inmates).
Judicial Lock-ups: Across the province’s 19 judicial lock-ups, 336 inmates are held against a total capacity of 582, leaving space for 246 additional detainees.
A senior official from the Balochistan Prisons’ Department, speaking to Voicepk on the condition of anonymity, detailed the local environment.
“Compared to other provinces, prisons in Balochistan are relatively spacious and provide a calmer environment. Although inmate numbers slightly exceed official capacity, our facilities have sufficient space to accommodate them comfortably. The core challenge is not space, but securing adequate budget and resources for food and basic supplies, which requires immediate government attention.”
Departmental sources confirmed that separate, proper arrangements are maintained for female and juvenile inmates in Balochistan, while acknowledging that the primary driver behind inmate numbers remains the pendency of court cases.
Insights from experts and departmental data demonstrate that Pakistan’s prison crisis is fundamentally a byproduct of legal and procedural delays rather than a mere shortage of physical infrastructure. Until comprehensive reforms are implemented within investigation and prosecution procedures alongside transparent enforcement of bail, parole, and probation laws reducing the pressure on prison capacity and resources will remain unachievable.