RIGHTS BEHIND WALLS: INTERNATIONAL LAW AND PRISON REFORMS IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

This article examines how international law—treaties, UN standards, and human-rights bodies—has influenced prison reforms in Pakistan. It provides a concise literature review, evaluates gaps between international obligations and domestic practice (overcrowding, pre-trial detention, healthcare, torture), and proposes actionable reforms to align Pakistan’s prison system with international norms. The paper draws on UN instruments, reports from international NGOs, national commissions, scholarly literature, and recent judicial and policy developments to offer evidence-based recommendations.