Committee for the Welfare of Prisoners

Committee for the Welfare of Prisoners CWP is a gov. funded, privately managed non-profit organization working to protect the rights and welfare of prisoners across Sindh. Estab. of Sindh | Member
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in 2004 as a pilot project at the Women’s Prison, Karachi, under the chairpersonship of Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid. The Committee for the Welfare of Prisoners (CWP) is a government-funded, privately managed non-profit organization working to protect the rights and welfare of prisoners across Sindh. Established in 2004 as a pilot initiative at the Women’s Prison, Karachi, under the chairpersonship o

f Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid, the Committee began by providing legal aid and rehabilitation support to women and juvenile prisoners. Over the years, CWP’s scope expanded to include male prison facilities across Sindh, transforming into a model public–private partnership for prison reform. With the continued support of the Home Department, Government of Sindh, CWP now operates in 24 prisons across Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Dadu, Khairpur, Sanghar, and Shaheed Benazirabad. CWP’s work focuses on providing free legal aid, legal awareness, and welfare assistance to underprivileged and under-trial prisoners, many of whom are first-time offenders. The Committee also supports juvenile inmates, women prisoners, and children living with their mothers in prison, offering education, health, and rehabilitation support to improve their reintegration prospects. As a unique public–private model, CWP contributes to Sindh’s criminal justice system by promoting speedy trials, fair representation, and humane prison management, reducing the burden on an already overcrowded system. The Committee operates under the Government of Sindh and was notified under Section 55 of the Sindh Prisons and Corrections Services Act, 2019. Its members include senior government officials, legal experts, and civil society representatives:
1. Justice (R ) Arif Hussain Khilji | Chairman
2. Inspector General Sindh Prisons & Corrections Service | Member
3. Representative, Auqaf, Religious, Zakat & Ushar Department, Government of Sindh | Member
4. Representative, Law, Parliamentary Affairs & Criminal Prosecution Department, Gov. Mohammad Khan (Legal Expert/Civil Society) | Member
6. Parwaiz Ahmed Qureshi (Legal Expert/Civil Society) | Member
7. Barrister Haya Emaan Zahid (Legal Expert/Civil Society) | Secretary

Slow justice is not justice, it is punishment without a verdict. With 2.26 million cases pending in Pakistani courts, th...
24/05/2026

Slow justice is not justice, it is punishment without a verdict. With 2.26 million cases pending in Pakistani courts, the system is not "getting there." For thousands of prisoners, it has stopped moving altogether.
When pre-trial detention exceeds the maximum sentence for the alleged offence itself, the process becomes the punishment. These are not edge cases, they are a systemic norm that disproportionately affects those who cannot afford private legal counsel or the cost of repeated court appearances.
CWP's legal interventions work to break this cycle, securing releases in weeks for prisoners who would otherwise wait years for a hearing. But individual interventions alone cannot fix a structural crisis. Until case backlog is treated as a rights emergency, not an administrative inconvenience that millions will remain trapped in a system that promises justice but delivers delay.

A 14-year-old boy. A narcotics charge carrying years in prison. No lawyer, no resources, and no one to question a case b...
21/05/2026

A 14-year-old boy. A narcotics charge carrying years in prison. No lawyer, no resources, and no one to question a case built on missing witnesses, absent evidence, and an officer who never appeared in court.
When we took up Sohail's case, every layer of the prosecution's argument unravelled, no independent witnesses, no CCTV, no verifiable chain of custody, and no police station record of the patrol itself. On 17 March 2026, the Court acquitted him.
Sohail's case is not an exception. It is a reflection of how easily the system can fail those who cannot afford to challenge it, and why free legal representation for the most vulnerable is not charity. It is a safeguard against injustice.

Being in prison does not mean being guilty. In Sindh, 83% of prisoners are undertrial accused, but still waiting for the...
18/05/2026

Being in prison does not mean being guilty. In Sindh, 83% of prisoners are undertrial accused, but still waiting for their day in court. Behind every number is a person whose right to a fair trial remains unfulfilled.
Overcrowded prisons, overburdened courts, and an under-resourced legal aid system mean thousands remain locked in a cycle of indefinite detention. The presumption of innocence is not a privilege, it is a constitutional guarantee under Article 10 of the Constitution of Pakistan.
Justice delayed is not just a legal failing, it is a human one. Until the system prioritises timely trials and accessible legal representation, prisons will continue to hold the accused alongside the convicted, punishing people before any court has found them guilty.

At Early Learning Centre (ELC) in Karachi Prison, young learners celebrated Mother's Day with a hands-on art and craft s...
11/05/2026

At Early Learning Centre (ELC) in Karachi Prison, young learners celebrated Mother's Day with a hands-on art and craft session: cutting, folding, and decorating handmade paperwork cards as heartfelt gifts for their mothers.

This was more than just a classroom activity, sessions like these help children express emotion, build fine motor skills, and connect with the world beyond the centre.

Pakistan's prisons hold thousands who have never been convicted of a crime; detained for months, sometimes years, simply...
08/05/2026

Pakistan's prisons hold thousands who have never been convicted of a crime; detained for months, sometimes years, simply because they cannot afford bail.

They share the same cells, the same conditions, and the same treatment as those serving sentences.

The law draws a clear line between the two. Our prison system often does not.

When we met Umair, we did not see just a case file, we saw a 17-year-old whose life had been put on hold.He had already ...
04/05/2026

When we met Umair, we did not see just a case file, we saw a 17-year-old whose life had been put on hold.

He had already spent more than two years behind bars, unable to afford legal representation and unsure if anyone would hear his side. At CWP, we stepped in to stand with him.

Through careful legal work, serious gaps in the prosecution’s case were brought before the court. The charges were not proven, and on 25 February 2026, Umair was acquitted.

Today, Umair is free. And for us, this is exactly why CWP exists to make sure no prisoner is left unheard, unseen, or alone.

01/05/2026

Our little learners at ELC Karachi observed Labour Day through meaningful classroom activity. Students held placards with thoughtful messages to express gratitude, respect, and appreciation for the hardworking people who contribute to our society every day.

This activity helped children understand the dignity of labour and the importance of respecting every profession.

Happy Labour Day!

On World Labour Day, we highlight the importance of vocational training inside prisons.Rehabilitation does not end at re...
30/04/2026

On World Labour Day, we highlight the importance of vocational training inside prisons.

Rehabilitation does not end at release. Skills can help people leave custody with a way to earn, rebuild their lives, and move forward with dignity.

Without these opportunities, many leave prison free, but without the means to support themselves. Access to meaningful work can build independence and reduce the risk of re-entry into the system.

Success Story: An accusation can change a life overnight, especially when there is no access to proper legal support.Dan...
29/04/2026

Success Story: An accusation can change a life overnight, especially when there is no access to proper legal support.

Danish (pseudonym), a young labour from Karachi, was arrested on charges including robbery and possession of an unauthorised weapon, and spent over two years in custody. When we reviewed his case, serious gaps became clear: there were no independent witnesses, no stolen property was recovered, and no evidence linked him to the alleged offences. Even the prosecution’s account failed to hold up under scrutiny.

These weaknesses were presented in Court by CwP lawyers, leading to his acquittal.

This Earth Day, children at the Early Learning Centres inside Women's Prisons in Karachi and Hyderabad celebrated with p...
22/04/2026

This Earth Day, children at the Early Learning Centres inside Women's Prisons in Karachi and Hyderabad celebrated with paint, paper, and purpose.

Through finger painting, paper plate collages, and worksheets on plants and trees, the children explored what it means to care for the world around them, turning a global moment into a hands-on, joyful one.

For children growing up in extraordinary circumstances, access to creative learning is not a luxury. It is how they build curiosity, confidence, and connection to the world beyond their walls.

The Capacity Building Workshop for CWP Litigation Advocates brought together lawyers from across Sindh for an intensive ...
21/04/2026

The Capacity Building Workshop for CWP Litigation Advocates brought together lawyers from across Sindh for an intensive two-day training, delivered through a hybrid model, strengthening their capacity to effectively represent and support incarcerated individuals.

With 26 participants, the workshop focused on enhancing practical litigation skills, from mapping the criminal justice process and identifying defence interventions, to drafting and arguing bail, and conducting effective examinations in court.

Special emphasis was placed on safeguarding vulnerable groups, including women and juveniles under the JJSA 2018, along with improving custody-focused legal strategies and post-conviction support mechanisms.

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Block C, 1st Floor, FTC Building, Shahrah-e-Faisal
Karachi
75350

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Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00

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