Through European Union funding, UNODC marks Handover of Prison Management Information System in Balochistan

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th May, 2026) Through European Union funding, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) formally marked the handover of the Prison Management Information System (PMIS) to the Balochistan Prison Department during a high-level ceremony held in Islamabad on Friday.

The system allows the 13 facilities across Balochistan including 11 prisons, and offices of the IG and DIG Prisons to have secure access to information on detainees and inmates. The system will also improve coordination with courts and law enforcement agencies on specific cases and provide data for a more informed decision-making across the corrections sector in Balochistan.

The system should also contribute to ensuring that prison staff treat prisoners with respect, dignity, without discrimination or mistreatment and that special care is ensured for the most vulnerable (i.e. adhering to The Nelson Mandela Rules).

Highlighting the EU’s continued support to rule of law reforms and institutional strengthening in Pakistan, Mr Jeroen Willems, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan highlighted that the “PMIS has been provided through the EU funded ‘Deliver Justice Project’ which has produced a remarkable number results over the past 5 years in a very broad number of areas from helping to increase the number of women in the Police forces, providing more legal aid to women, training of judges, prosecutors and police officers on human rights, to the construction of court-annexed mediation centres in both provinces, amongst many other areas.

He stated that the EU remains committed to supporting citizen-centric, inclusive, and sustainable justice sector reforms in Pakistan, particularly for vulnerable communities and underserved areas.

The system will also benefit prisoners’ families and the wider community. A new digital visitor management system will help reduce waiting times and make prison visits more organised and transparent for families. Digital recordkeeping will also improve accountability and help build public trust through safer and better-managed prisons.

Speaking on behalf of the Government of Balochistan, Inspector General Prisons Balochistan Capt. (R) Abdul Saeed Naveed observed that the system has significantly improved operational efficiency, record management and coordination across prison facilities.

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In his keynote address, UNODC Representative Mr. Troels Vester stated that the PMIS reflects a shared commitment to modern, transparent and human rights-compliant prison management in Pakistan. He noted that through sustained institutional support, technology transfer and capacity building, the initiative has laid the foundation for long-term sustainability and stronger coordination across the criminal justice system in Balochistan.

To ensure the system continues effectively in the future, UNODC provided technical support, staff training, and knowledge transfer across Balochistan. This included establishing a Prison Training academy, an eLearning Centre at Mach, and a Central Command Unit in Quetta. Training materials and policies were also developed, while the Government of Balochistan assigned dedicated staff and budgetary resources to support the long-term operation and maintenance of the PMIS.

Concluding the ceremony, Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik underscored the importance of digital reforms in strengthening Pakistan’s justice sector and improving governance outcomes. He noted that with the operationalisation of PMIS in Balochistan, all four provinces of Pakistan have now transitioned towards digital prison management systems.

He further acknowledged UNODC’s longstanding technical support in operationalising PMIS across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and now Balochistan, marking an important milestone towards a more integrated and modern corrections system in Pakistan.

“The Deliver Justice Project is an EU-funded rule of law initiative implemented from 2021 to 2026 to strengthen criminal justice institutions and improve access to justice in Pakistan, with a particular focus on Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The project supported reforms across police, prosecution, judiciary, prisons, and legislative frameworks through institutional capacity building, digitalisation, and governance reforms. With a €20 million investment, the project aimed to promote transparent, accountable, and citizen-centric justice service delivery, particularly for women and vulnerable groups.”