"Prisoners in Pakistan, especially those on the death...

"Prisoners in Pakistan, especially those on the death row, live in cramped, overcrowded cells and often face abuse. The facts have come to light after a former prisoner moved the court on the conditions in the country's numerous prison. "The number of death sentences meted out is alarmingly high in this country. In Punjab alone, at least 5,260 convicts are on the death row in 30 jails. But there are only 812 death row cells to house them. The death row cells are usually small rooms that measure 9x12 feet, have attached toilets and are cordoned off by walls that are approximately three feet high. On occasions, as many as 12 inmates have to crowd into one cell, charge rights groups. A survey by the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, an advisory body to the government, says three to six prisoners are usually kept in a single death cell. Social activist Waseem-ur-Rehman maintains that living in such miserable conditions is often worse than death.