KARACHI, March 24: The Karachi Women’s Peace Committee (KWPC) on Thursday organised a programme on “Crime and Reform – Past Taboos and Present Possibilities” in view of the new indicators of a rising crime graph and the involvement of the very young in the world of crime.

Sindh Ombudsman Yousuf Jamal was the chief guest at the programme, held in the auditorium of the Defence Central Library. Nisar Effendi, Chairman of the Quaid-i-Azam Public School, Niaz Ahmed Siddiqui, Additional IG Sindh, Mohsin Manzoor, former IG Sindh, Mohammad Yameen Khan, IG Prisons, Sindh and Nargis Rahman, Chairperson of the KWPC were also present. Children and teachers from the graveyard school were also invited to the programme.

The programme mainly based on a school established by a former prisoner in a graveyard in Mewashah.

The participants were shown a docudrama ‘Hayat’ based on the life of the same young ex-prisoner. He was caught in the quagmire of a typical slum in the city, driven into drug peddling and finally awarded life imprisonment.

The docudrama presented his struggle to return to life and regain freedom and become a decent human being living with his family and community. His story encompasses the problems of his community as a whole – the continuing cycle of shame and loss.

KWPC Chairperson Nargis Rahman said whatever the outcome of his own personal struggle, the community continued to face a degrading sub-existence.

Mr Effendi said the graveyard school depicted a true picture of a pluralistic society.