Supreme Court of Pakistan advocates rehabilitation for juvenile offenders

In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has decided that juvenile accused should not face punishment but instead should undergo a rehabilitation program to help them become responsible citizens in the future. This decision was made by a three-member bench led by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Athar Minallah, and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar. The court granted post-arrest bail to a 14.5-year-old juvenile accused in a murder case.

The case involved Mehran, who was 14 years and 5 months old at the time of the incident, as confirmed by his school certificate. Mehran, along with another individual, attempted to stop a vehicle during a journey. When the vehicle did not comply, Mehran fired a shot, resulting in the death of one person.

The Supreme Court pointed out that the Peshawar High Court had denied bail due to delays in the trial process for the serious charge. The court stressed that juvenile accused should be treated differently from adults under the law. They should not only face punishment but also go through rehabilitation and receive special treatment to assist them in becoming responsible members of society in the future.

The Supreme Court's ruling emphasizes the importance of rehabilitating juvenile offenders to steer them towards a positive future. By providing support and guidance instead of solely focusing on punishment, the court aims to help young individuals like Mehran reintegrate into society as responsible citizens.