ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain Tuesday urged concerted and effective measures to ameliorate the condition of women and children in the prisons and noted with appreciation the practical steps taken by the Wafaqi Mohtasib in this regard.
The President was addressing an event to provide help for vulnerable children and women in jails, here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr,
The event organized by the Wafaqi Mohtasib was attended by Federal Ombudsman Salman Faruqui and former Chief Justice of Sindh High Court Nasir Aslam Zahid. Provincial Inspector Generals of Prisons also attended the function.
The President appreciated that Wafaqi Mohtasib on the directive of Supreme Court of Pakistan had compiled a comprehensive report to improve the plight of women and children in jails. Its implementation would produce positive results by improving the condition of prisons, he hoped.
He said the children in jails could be made an active member of the society by imparting them moral and religious education. Similarly, he said, the women prisoners could also play a positive role in the development of society if they were imparted education and necessary skills.
The President said that no government alone could undertake welfare work and welcomed the participation of private institutions and philanthropists for improving the condition of women and child prisoners.
He appreciated that the Federal Ombudsman had constituted a committee co-headed by Ms Asma Jahangir and Mian Muhammad Hanif to formulate a comprehensive strategy to help ameliorate the plight of women and children in prisons.
President Mamnoon also commended the business community, philanthropists and institutions, including chambers of commerce and universities, in coming forward on the call of Wafaqi Mohtasib and making their contributions for the betterment of women and child prisoners.
The President called for close cooperation between the government and private institutions on public welfare initiatives to effectively address the issues of public concern.
He said welfare of the people should be the first and topmost priority no matter which party was in power. He said Zakat could be best utilized by paying fines for the release of those prisoners, who cannot afford to pay on their own.
The President said during the holy month of Ramzan the people should focus on welfare activities to serve the humanity.
President Mamnoon asked the Wafaqi Mohtasib to also direct efforts for construction of more buildings in the prisons where the number of prisoners far exceed the capacity.
Wafaqi Mohtasib Salman Faruqui highlighted the condition of prisoners, particularly the female and child prisoners. He also enumerated the contributions being made by philanthropists and educational institutions for providing relief and succor to the women and child prisoners throughout the country.
On the occasion, philanthropists including Zamurrad Khan, Mian Muhammad Hanif, Yasin Malik, S.K. Niazi, Mian Muhammad Hamid Javed and Malik Nadeem announced donations and gifts for the female and child prisoners.
Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed and vice chancellors of COMSATS and Allama Iqbal Open universities announced provision of educational facilities for female and child prisoners in the jails.
Donations were also announced for payment of fines for the poor prisoners so that they can be released from the prisons enabling them to celebrate Eid with their families.
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