ISLAMABAD: The Federal Government has forget the prisoners spending their terms in jails round the country as no relief was announced in terms of sentence to prisoners on the occasion of 70th Independence Day of Pakistan.
For the first time no remission to prisoners in sentence was given by the Government on Independence Day, has not only sparked dismay among the prisoners and their relatives but the international human rights organizations have also expressed strong reservations on this count.
Curiously, the Government of India on its Independence Day had decided to accord one-time remission of sentences to prisoners imprisoned for up to 20 years. Those undergoing imprisonment for more than 10 years and up to 20 years have been granted one-time remission of sentence for a year. Similarly, those serving a jail term of more than 7 years and up to 10 years would get remission for nine months and those who have been jailed for more than 5 years and up to 7 years would get 6 months.
In India, in case a person has been sentenced to more than 3 years and up to 5 years in jail, he would get remission for three months. A remission for a month has been accorded to those undergoing a sentence of less than 3 years.
On the eve of Independence Day, President giving no relief of any kind to prisoners convicted in minor crimes is regrettable fact.
While talking to Daily Times, the Member of National Commission of Human Rights, Chaudhry Shafique said that the Jails are basically correction centers in which the government has the responsibility to provide such an atmosphere through which the prisoners rehabilitate and reintegrate to play a positive role in the society.
“Government has the responsibility to enforce the Prisoners act of 1894 in its real mean. Remission on national occasions is an important component, but unfortunately, our government is anti-human and not granting the remission on Independence Day is the violation of human Rights, due to wrong policies the Jails have become criminal institutions,” he said.
Every human being has a right to celebrate Independence Day, the relatives of prisoners and general public vows high grievances over not granting the remission to prisoners in sentence.
According to the official details, the Government had given remission in to 572 prisoners and released 513 prisoners on Independence Day of 2009, remission was given to 92 prisoners and released 176 prisoners in 2010, remission give to 281 prisoners and released 204 in 2011, remission given to 231 prisoners and released 293 in 2012, remission granted to 207 prisoners and released 49 in 2013, remission granted to 308 prisoners and released 190 in 2014 and remission given to 248 prisoners in 2015.
While talking to Daily Times, the Chairman of Rah-e-Nijat Safdar Chaudhary said that the government announces the remission of prisoners every year on Independence Day, but at present, the President did not exercise his powers which led to dismay among the prisoners.
“The President is requested to grant remission to the prisoners on immediate basis so they can also become a part of society and contribute a positive role,” he concluded.
Chairperson of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Zohra Yusuf has said it is matter of regret that those who have committed crimes of minor nature were not given relief. This way government is promoting crime rather than strengthening law and order situation.