PM visits Kot Lakhpat jail, announces reduction in jail terms

Lahore: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has visited Kot Lakhpat jail and announced a remission in jail sentences of the prisoners across the country by two months on the occasion of Eid ul Fitr.

The prime minister also directed for the constitution of a committee headed by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah that would formulate a comprehensive strategy for the provision of basic facilities to the jail inmates, besides making improvements in the overall system.

Relevant officials from the four provinces would be included in the committee.

On the occasion, the prime minister observed that it was the responsibility of the government to ensure that a prisoner, after his release from jail, should become an efficient citizen of society.

He also specially directed the authorities of Kot Lakhpat jail to utilize all the available resources in an effective manner to meet the basic requirements of jail inmates.

In this regard, the prime minister directed for further improvement in dining and health facilities of prisoners.

He also asked for effective use of skill development resources, so that prisoners could spend time in jail in a positive manner and adequately gear up for playing an effective role in society after completion of their jail terms.

Talking to PTV, the prime minister said that he had set up a committee headed by the interior minister to introduce much needed jail reforms.

Sharing his personal experiences, he said that jails lacked basic facilities for prisoners including washrooms, toilets, laundry and health facilities.

The prime minister mentioned different issues faced by the prisoners and said there were a number of prisoners who had completed their jail terms but could not be released as they had no financial resources to pay their fines.

Similarly, others had relatives living in far flung areas and they could not visit jail regularly to meet them. Moreover, there were prisoners who did not afford to hire lawyers, he added.

The prime minister, on the occasion, also announced upgradation of perks of staffers of the jails at par with the police force.

He expressed the hope that jails reforms would be brought in accordance with the rules and laws.

He also lauded Aleem Khan for donating a hospital for the treatment of jail inmates.