November 20, 2008	Thursday	Ziqa'ad 21, 1429

PESHAWAR, Nov 19: NWFP Minister for Prisons Mian Nisar Gul has said that with the consultation of concerned departments, a draft of amendment bill would be presented in the provincial assembly soon to make necessary amendments in the ‘primitive’ jail laws in order to ensure implementation of the proposed jail reforms programme.

He expressed these views while chairing a high-level meeting regarding jail reforms and quick disposal of pending cases of prisoners. The meeting was attended by NWFP inspector-general prisons, high-ups of home, law, prisons and representatives of other concerned departments.

The provincial minister stressed the authorities of home, health and police departments to fully cooperate with the prisons department to provide necessary treatment facilities to the sick prisoners.

On the occasion, the minister was given a detailed briefing on the jail reforms programme and ways of quick disposal of pending cases of prisoners. The meeting was told that the proposed jail reforms programme was a two pronged programme: reforms in prisoners related issued and reforms in staff related issues. Under the plan, Borstal institutions would be established in different jails at a cost of Rs22 million.

Besides, computer literacy centres and technical vocational centres would be set up in jails to give education and teach professional skills to the prisoners.

With the involvement of industrialists, prison industries would be modernised and jail rules would be amended with the consultation of the concerned departments. —PPI