The School of Law at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, organized a seminar focused on the “Function and Role of Prisons as a Component of the Criminal Justice System.” The event featured Dr. Qadeer Alam as the guest speaker, who currently serves as the Additional Inspector General Prisons. Dr. Alam’s qualifications include an LLM in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice from the University of Sussex and a PhD thesis on the “Death Row Phenomena” under the guidance of Professor William Schabaz. He has a strong background in research and publication. Additionally, Dr. Alam holds positions on the Provincial Parole Board and as Secretary to the Provincial Scrutiny Committee on Mercy Petitions.

Before his current role, he served as a Superintendent Jail in three different prisons in Punjab and worked as a Correction Mentor in the UN Mission in Liberia for a duration of two years.

During the seminar, Dr. Alam delved into various significant aspects of the prison system in Pakistan within the context of the Criminal Justice System. These aspects encompassed the legal framework in Pakistan, international laws, including the “UN Nelson Mandela Rules,” which pertain to the rights of prisoners, different categories of prisoners, challenges and issues, and potential strategies for enhancing the conditions of prisoners in Pakistan.

The event was skillfully moderated and coordinated by Mr. Muhammad Waqas Javed, Assistant Professor at the School of Law, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad.