December 12, 2008	Friday	Zilhaj 13, 1429

KARACHI, Dec 11: Adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister Ms Sharmila Farooqui on Thursday visited the central prison and the women & juvenile jail and listened to the prisoners’ grievances. She assured them of steps to resolve their legitimate problems.

Talking to journalists, she observed that many prisoners had already completed their term but could not be released due to non-payment of Qisas and other fines. She appealed to donors and human rights organisations to arrange funds for them so that the prisoners could walk free from the jails.

She said the Sindh government was making efforts for the release of such prisoners but it was not possible for it to arrange the required funds without the help of philanthropists and NGOs. She said the relevant NGOs should play their role in this regard.

Ms Farooqui particularly mentioned the case of a prisoner, Ishaq, son of Ismail, who was arrested along with his friends and sentenced to 35 years in prison.

She said Ishaq, whose father had since died, was suffering from paralysis and other diseases. She said she would also recommend Ishaq’s release on parole to enable him to take part in the wedding ceremony of his daughter to be solemnised on December 14.

Superintendent of the central jail Nusrat Mangan and superintendent of the women and children jail Shakir Shah were also present.—PPI