Inspector General of Prisons, Punjab, Mian Farooq Nazeer, has awarded special remission ranging from one month to two years to 274 convicts across the province for memorizing the Holy Quran and passing different exams during their confinement.
The convicts, who memorized the Holy Quran or pass exams, learn trade skills during confinement, get special remission of up to two years in their sentence.
The IG said the Punjab Prisons Department on the special directive of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had mapped out a programme to impart religious education and technical training to inmates for their rehabilitation as responsible citizens after their release from prison. He said over three dozen convicts, undergoing different terms in five jails of the province, after qualifying the Quran Nazra examinations, were memorizing the Holy Quran under the supervision of qualified religious teachers. everal convicts, on the report of a panel of examiners drawn from top religious institutions of the province, had recommended two years’ special remission in their sentence, he added.
“Christian convicts are also provided with the services of Christian teachers to guide them in their faith,” he said.
The IG said training in trades like ceramics, TV assembly, pottery, carpet weaving and tailoring was also being imparted to convicts in all central jails of the province. Nazeer explained that six months’ remission was granted to convicts who passed exams of universities/boards/technical education boards.
Sahiwal Senior Superintendent Central Jail Gulzar Ahmad Butt said that on the special directive of IG, 1,000 convicts were attending elementary education courses at jail launched in collaboration with the Punjab Education Department.
