Prison population climbs to 110,513 as three-fourths of inmates under trial
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s prison population has reached 110,513, with three out of every four prisoners awaiting trial, according to the Annual Prisons Data Report 2026, jointly compiled by the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) and Justice Project Pakistan (JPP). The report, launched on Thursday at a local hotel with the support of the European Union, found that prisons across the country…
Pakistan's prison population has surged to 110,513, with three-quarters of inmates awaiting trial, according to the Annual Prisons Data Report 2026. Compiled by the National Commission for Human Rights and Justice Project Pakistan, the report reveals prisons are operating at over 160 percent of their authorized capacity, housing 41,681 more inmates than intended.
Of the total population, 75 percent are under-trial prisoners, surpassing the country's authorized prison capacity by 14,156. Punjab and Sindh provinces face severe overcrowding, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have managed to reduce their populations and remain within capacity. Drug-related offenses account for more than a quarter of all prisoners, with the number of such cases increasing by over 43 percent since 2023.
Women's incarceration has risen by 45.96 percent since 2024, and 86.2 percent of children in prison are awaiting trial. The report recommends reforms, including reducing unnecessary detention, improving bail practices, expanding non-custodial alternatives, and reviewing laws contributing to excessive incarceration.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
