PESHAWAR, July 22: NWFP Minister for Prisons Mian Nisar Gul Kakakhel on Tuesday directed the administration of Peshawar Central Prison to make arrangements for the release of 16 Bangladeshi nationals, including a juvenile.

The minister visited different sections of the prison and announced two months remission for the prisoners. He took notice of the imprisonment of 16 Bangladeshi nationals including a juvenile Mohammad Younas, a Malaysian female prisoner, Umme Kulsoom and another woman from Lahore, Fehmida. He directed the concerned officials to take steps for the release of these prisoners.

The Bangladeshi nationals were arrested last year when they crossed over into Pakistan from Afghanistan and were charged by the tribal administration under the Frontier Crimes Regulation and the Foreigners Act for illegal entry into Pakistan. Mr Gul ordered for convening a meeting of the committee already constituted for jail reforms and asked to make it more effective. The minister visited the juvenile and female prisoners’ wards and distributed gifts among the females and their kids.

Earlier, the minister addressed a free medical camp arranged by the Peoples Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) at the prison.

Mr Nisar Gul stated that the government was using all possible means for the reformation and treatment of prisoners in the jail, so that they could become useful segments of the society.

He said that he was keen to make special arrangements for the release of juveniles. He directed the jail authorities to take steps for the release of juveniles, who were under a lock-up in petty cases so that load on the prison could be reduced. He said that criminals were awarded sentences in accordance with relevant laws and sent to jail in view to reform their attitude so that on release from prison they could spend normal life like law abiding citizens.

Dr Fida Mohammad Wazir, Programme Director of PPHA, District Support Unit Peshawar, explained objectives of the medical camp.

On this occasion the Inspector General of Prisons, Fazlur Rehman Khan, prison superintendent Masoodur Rahman and officials of other concerned departments were also present.