Punjab CM announces Eid remission for prisoners

About 1,000 inmates will be released

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has announced a special remission for prisoners on the eve of Eidul Fitr.

On the directives of the chief minister, the Punjab Home Department has issued a notification about the relief for prisoners.

The remaining sentences of about 1,000 prisoners will be pardoned. All prisoners except those involved in anti-state and terrorist activities will be eligible for pardon under Section 401 of the CRPC if they have less than six months of the sentence left.

Women prisoners who have spent more than 75% of their sentence and those incarcerated along with children having one-year sentence or less will also be pardoned.

The prisoners who have completed their sentences but could not afford to pay fines and blood money will also be released.

The home department has also announced special remission in the sentences of prisoners for 60 days under Section 216 of Pakistan Prisons Rules 1978.

The prisoners undergoing their sentences under Sections 302, 394, 395, 396, 364A and 365A will not be entitled to the relief.

Those imprisoned for narcotics smuggling will not be entitled to the relief.

Prisoners undergoing their sentences under Hudood Ordinance will not be given pardon along with those sentenced under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Under Pakistan Penal Code, those prisoners found involved in attacks on citizens, spying, sectarianism and anti-state activities will not be given remission.

The notification said a free public call office facility will be provided to the women, children and other specified prisoners to talk to their families. On the chief minister’s order, the children, women and other prisoners involved in minor crimes will be allowed to speak to their families on the eve of Eid.

Prisoners involved in terrorist and anti-state activities will not be provided the facility.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2020.