PESHAWAR, Aug 9: The Society for the Protection of Rights of the Child (Sparc) has appealed to President Gen Pervez Musharraf to order release of women and children imprisoned under the Frontier Crimes Regulations 1901 (FCR) in various jails of the NWFP.

According to a press release issued here on Monday, Sparc is concerned over the imprisonment of women and children under the FCR collective responsibility clause for long periods and without a right to appeal in superior courts.

Society's deputy national coordinator Arshad Mahmood in the press statement said sentences of children as young as two years to three-year rigorous imprisonment was the matter of concern.

Unfortunately, around 15 girls and boys, who have not attained even 10 years of age, are behind bars for crimes that allegedly their fathers or other family members had committed, he said.

Tahir Khan, 8, and Iran Khan, 7, sons of Guldas Khan; Khalil Mohammad, 3; Zarmina, 2, daughter of Qadir Khan, imprisoned for three years, are languishing in the Central Prison Haripur with their siblings, mothers and other family members.

Sial Bano Bibi, 5; Farzan Bibi, 9; Gul Bano, 3; Khyal Bano, 9, and Zahir Khan of four years were in Central Prison Dera Ismail Khan since April 17, 2004. While, Husan Bano, 2, and Sadmarjan, 3, children of Gul Marjan are present in the women's section with their mother, the press release said.

It also said that over 70 juvenile inmates were languishing in different jails of the NWFP, with some imprisoned for long periods. Aqal Deen, 18, was imprisoned for 42 years by the assistant political agent of Miran Shah while Shakeem Gul, 20 years now, was imprisoned for 10 years by the Wana assistant political agent on June 19, 2000. Mr Mahmood said this was a total violation of all humane norms and relevant international conventions and the Constitution of Pakistan.