Punjab CM to unveil jail reform package

Vacant posts to be filled, facilities for inmates enhanced

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar will announce a reform package for prison officials and inmates during the observance of the Rahmatullil Alameen Week in jails.

During a meeting held to review progress on jail reforms, the chief minister approved the observance of the week and issued directives for the provision of eatables of good quality to prisoners in canteens at fixed prices.

The participants of the meeting decided in principle to fill the vacant posts of jail officials in phases. They also agreed in principle to allow prisoners to take cushions and quilts from their homes. The meeting was told that the installation of dish antennas and cable television facility had been started in prisoners’ barracks on the directives of the CM.

Chief Minister Buzdar reiterated that protection of prisoners’ rights would be ensured and their exploitation would not be allowed. He called for suitable payments to prisoners working in the jails. The chief minister directed the officials concerned to resolve the issue of shortage of doctors, paramedics and medicines in jail hospitals.

He called for launching an ambulance service to shift prisoners to hospitals in case of emergency. The chief minister also ordered start of work on converting the jails to solar energy.

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The assistant chief secretary for home affairs, inspector general of prisons and other officials attended the meeting. Meanwhile, the chief minister said while speaking to the president of Dera Ghazi Khan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jalaluddin Roomi, that the Muzaffargarh industrial estate would be given the status of a special economic zone.

The business community leader called on the chief minister to discuss humanitarian activities. It was agreed during the meeting that the Jalaluddin Roomi Foundation will provide loans to the needy youths on lenient terms, while more almonries will also be established at public places in Multan and DG Khan.

According to a handout, the industrialist apprised the CM about solar-powered water filtration plant projects and thanked him for initiating plots’ allotment for small industries.

CM promised to provide incentives and opportunities for business activities and said the Muzaffargarh industrial estate would be given the status of a special economic zone to provide job opportunities to youths.

He expressed satisfaction over the restoration of 11 filtration plants in Multan and appreciated the social work done by the Roomi Foundation. Roomi said the foundation would also manage the 11 plants that had been dysfunctional.

He said medicines were being provided free of charge in hospitals in Multan and DG Khan. Steps taken by the government for the promotion of trade and industry were praiseworthy, he added.

Separately, Chief Minister Buzdar sought a report from the Sahiwal regional police officer about the murder of two sisters in a village near Chichawatni.

World Heart Day

In he s message on the World Heat Day, the chief minister said a simple way of life, pure food and observance of Sunnah (PBUH) helped in protecting people against cardiac diseases.

He said a healthy way of life was the best solution to avoid cardiac diseases and it was also important to avoid smoking. He appealed to the citizens to take care of their health.

He added that people suffering from cardiac diseases should be very careful to avoid dengue and coronavirus. The government was providing the best facilities to cardiac patients through Sehat Insaaf Card and a cardiology institute was being established in DG Khan, he added.

Projects are also under way to construct and revamp cardiology wards in divisional and district hospitals.

Furthermore, hundreds of thousands of patients are benefiting from the Wazirabad Institute of Cardiology, he said and added that the establishment of more institutes was being considered.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2021.