KARACHI, Sept 14: The President of Pakistan in exercise of powers under article 45 of the constitution has granted special remission in sentences to prisoners on the occasion of Independence Day this year.

According to a communique issued by the ministry of interior to the Sindh home department, a special remission of 90 days have been granted to prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment other than those convicted of murder, espionage, anti-state activities, sectarianism, Zina (Section 10 offence of Zina Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979 (also under section 377 of PPC), robbery (section 394 of PPC), dacoity (section 395-396), kidnapping/abduction (sections 364-A & 365-A) and acts of terrorism (as defined in the Anti- terrorism (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 1999 (No XIII of 1999); special remission for 45 days to all other convicts, except the condemned prisoners and also, except those convicted of murder, espionage, anti-state activities, sectarianism, Zina (Section 10 offence of Zina Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979 (also under section 377 of PPC), kidnapping/abduction (sections 364-A & 365-A), robbery (Section 394 of PPC), dacoity (Sections 395-396 of PPC) and those undergoing sentences under the Foreigners Act of 1946.

The special remission will be admissible to those who have already undergone 2/3rd of their substantive jail sentences.

Total remission to male prisoners who are 65 years of age or above and have undergone at lease 1/3rd of their substantive jail sentence, except those involved in culpable homicide and involved in acts of terrorism, as defined in the Anti-terrorism (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 1999 (No XIII of 1999). Total remission to female prisoners who are 60 years of age or above and have undergone at least 1/3rd of their substantive jail sentences, except those involved in culpable homicide and those involved in acts of terrorism, as defined in the Anti-terrorism (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 1999 (No XIII of 1999).

Special remission of one year to female prisoners who accompany children and are serving sentences for crimes other than culpable homicide and those involved in acts of terrorism, as defined in the Anti-terrorism (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 1999 (No XIII of 1999); total remission to juvenile convicts (under 18 years of age) who have served 1/3rd of their substantive sentences, except those involved in culpable homicide, acts of terrorism, as defined in the Anti-terrorism (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 999 (No XIII of 1999), Zina (Section 10 offence of Zina Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979 (also under section 377 of PPC), robbery (section 3894 of PPC), dacoity (Sections 395-396 of PPC), kidnapping/abduction (Sections 364-A & 365-A) and anti-state activities.

Those convicted in cases processed by NAB will not be entitled to any remission. — PPI