July 11, 2006	Tuesday	Jumadi-ul-Sani 14, 1427

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FAISALABAD, July 10: There was a hustle and bustle in and outside major prisons in the Punjab where a number of women benefiting from the presidential ordinance won freedom on Monday.

At least 15 women prisoners were set free from the Faisalabad district jail after the acceptance of their bail applications..

Those released were: Haleema Bibi (40), involved in a drug-trafficking case; Bushra (29), Sobia, Perveen (30), in Hudood cases; Sana Ahmed (18), Rani Bibi (60), two sisters — Asmat Batool (20) and Bushra Batool (26), in theft cases; and Maryam Firdous (23), Bushra (25), Kiran Abbas (20), Shahnaz Ranjha (23), Abida Naseer (27), Ayesha Yousaf (22) and Abida Aslam (26), in a child kidnapping case.

According to jail officials, out of 109 women detained in the district jail, only 15 were released.

Jail sources said that 26 more such prisoners, involved in petty crimes, could be released within next couple of days.

A special ceremony was organised in the district jail during the release of women, which was attended by a large number of relatives of jailbirds, politicians and representatives of various NGOs. Punjab Social Welfare and Women Development Minister Ms Ashfa Riaz presided over the ceremony.

SAHIWAL: About 25 women were released from the Central Jails on Monday.

The women, released on the orders of respective districts and sessions judges on personal surities, were involved in hudood, kidnap, rape and narcotics cases.

Sahiwal D&SJ Dr Riaz Mahmood released eight women — Naziran, Saima, Nazeeran, her daughter Naseem, Shabana, Hajran, Rani and Kulsoom.

Similarly, seven women were released on the order of the Pakpattan court and 10 on the orders of the Okara court. Prisoners from Okara and Pakpattan are detained here for want of prisons there.

SHEIKHUPURA: As many as five women and two children were released from the local district jail.

The women were detained in theft and other petty offences. Those released were identified as Shamim Bibi, Kali Bibi, Zubaida Bibi, Kausar Bibi, Rani Bibi and two children.

District Nazim Mian Jalil Sharqpuri, MPA Mian Khalid Mehmood and local PML women wing president Nusrat Yamin were also present on the occasion.

SIALKOT: Around 34 women were released from the Sialkot district jail.

Punjab Industries Minister Muhammad Ajmal Cheema and District Nazim Muhammad Akmal Cheema were also present during a ceremony held at the central jail on this occasion.

Jail superintendent Intizar Wali Khan told reporters that 29 women prisoners belonged to the Sialkot district while the rest of them to the Narowal district.

GUJRANWALA: Some seven women, involved in minor cases, were released by local courts.

Reports said that 44 women with their children were detained in the central jail. District and sessions judge Mazher Hussain Minhas got prepared a list of women involved in minor and Hudood cases directing the courts concerned to release them on surety bonds.

Jail superintendent Mian Shaukat Ali said that about 24 women along with their children would get the benefit the under the president’s ordinance.