Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah announced on Friday a two-month remission for prisoners throughout the province in memory of Pakistan People’s Party’s assassinated leader Benazir Bhutto.
The party will commemorate her fourth death anniversary on December 27 in Naudero, Larkana district.
He made the announcement following his visit to the Central Prison Karachi, where he inaugurated the NADRA CNIC mobile service for prisoners.
He also inaugurated the telephone facility inside the jail premises so that prisoners can contact their families.
“The use of unauthorised cell phones has been banned in all jails of the province and jammers have been installed there,” he said. “The illegal use of cell phones at prisons was resulting in an increase in the crime rate in the province,” he added.
Shah said the government is paying attention towards providing health, educational and other facilities to prisoners and also promote cultural activities among them under the social reformation programme. “All efforts are being made to turn prisoners into reformed citizens of our society,” he added.
The chief minister also visited various sections of the prison including the bakery, wards, the school, the computer laboratory, the handicraft ward and the fine art centre.
He also saw the paintings made by prisoners and one of them presented him with a portrait of President Asif Ali Zardari.
Later while talking to the media, the chief minister announced a two-month remission for all prisoners of Sindh except those punished for heinous crimes.
He said the government has taken various measures to improve the conditions in jails including better hygiene, provision of medical treatment, educational facilities and religious guidance so that prisoners can be converted into useful and law-abiding citizens of the society.
He said the prisoners are also being provided with quality food, clean drinking water, fans and charpoys.
GILANI: Responding to a question, the chief minister said he completely supports Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s recent statement. “Any conspiracy against the democracy or the elected-government, as pointed out by the prime minister, would not be accepted,” he added. “The people must strengthen democracy and democratic institutions in the larger interest of country,” he added.
