BY: ANI Correspondent:
MULTAN — The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued an important ruling directing that, in cases involving sentences of death or life imprisonment, the cost of preparing paper books and supplying necessary copies shall be borne by the concerned government.
A three-member bench comprising Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan, Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim passed the order while hearing Jail Petition No. 272 of 2022, Muhammad Nawaz alias Nazi and Muhammad Yaseen alias Cheema v. The State.
The Court observed that the petitioners had been awarded life imprisonment and held that the objection raised by the Supreme Court Office regarding the provision of copies was contrary to Order XXIV, Rule 11 of the Supreme Court Rules, 2025.
The bench clarified that under the relevant rule, where a case involves a sentence of death or imprisonment for life, the required paper books are to be prepared at the expense of the concerned government.
Accordingly, the Supreme Court overruled the office objection and directed the office to complete the necessary process within three weeks.
The accused were represented before the Supreme Court by Malik ShahNawaz Khokhar, Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan, who pursued the matter on their behalf.
The ruling is significant for prisoners facing life imprisonment, as it removes the financial burden of preparing and obtaining required court paper books in such cases.
