Imran Khan orders release of sick, older female prisoners

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered authorities to release from prison all female prisoners who suffer from physical or mental illness or who are age 55 or older, according to a report.

About 1,200 women and girls who are on trial or have been convicted of a crime are imprisoned in Pakistan.

Khan also announced that all juvenile prisoners around the country will be released, The Associated Press reported.

A Pakistani court ordered the releases months ago and there was no appeal of that ruling.

Khan on Wednesday announced his government would implement a plan for the releases.

Khan, in a series of tweets, also ordered a report on foreign women in Pakistani prisons, including ones on death row, for consideration for release on humanitarian grounds.