Eidul Fitr ‘ritual’: Zardari announces remissions in jail terms for prisoners

A 90-day remission announced for prisoners serving life imprisonment.

ISLAMABAD:

President Zardari continued with the precedence set by him in previous years and approved remission in jail terms on this year’s Eidul Fitr.

According to an official handout, the president approved the remissions on the advice of Prime Minister Gilani, under article 45 of the constitution.

A special remission of 90 days has been announced for prisoners convicted for life imprisonment, except for those convicted for murder, espionage, anti-state activities, sectarianism, adultery, robbery, abduction and terrorist activities.

Another special remission of 45 days has been approved for other convicts except those convicted of murder, espionage, subversion, anti-state activities, terrorist act, adultery, abduction, robbery, and those serving sentences under the Foreigners Act 1946.

The remission will be applicable provided that the convicts have undergone at least two-thirds of their sentence.

A total remission has been announced for prisoners aged 65 years or above, who have completed at least one-third of their sentence. Exceptions in this category include those involved in homicide or terrorist activities.

Total remission has also been announced for female prisoners aged 60 years or above, who have undergone at least one-third of their sentence, and are not involved in acts of terrorism and homicide.

Juvenile convicts (those under 18 years of age) who have served one-third of their sentence, except those involved in homicide, terrorism, adultery, robbery, abduction, and anti-state activities, have also been given a total remission.

Special remission of a one-year period have been given to female prisoners accompanied by children, and are serving imprisonment sentence for crimes other than homicide and terrorism.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 31^st, 2011.