LAHORE: The Punjab Prisons Department has sought assistance of the Punjab University (PU) for jail reforms, especially to make prisoners responsible and law abiding citizen in their post-release life.

Inspector General (IG) of Prisons Mirza Shahid Saleem Baig on Thursday held a meeting with PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Zakaria Zakar in this connection, a press release said on Thursday.

The IG said the faculty, PhD and MPhil scholars of psychology, applied psychology, social work and sociology departments could play important role in reforming prisons department, especially the inmates, with the help of modern knowledge and expertise.

He said all the students and faculty members of the university would be welcomed in all jails of the province for research, study and lectures. “Female faculty members will be fully encouraged to deliver thought provoking lectures to women prisoners at the Central Jail, Kot Lakhpat, Lahore and Women Jail, Multan, for making them responsible citizens,” he said.

Prof Dr Zakaria Zakar said the varsity would extend all possible assistance and cooperation to the prisons department to improve image of the prisons and suggest proposals for further betterment of the inmates.

He said the status of any country was determined by the level of protection of human rights there and stressed the need for implementation of human rights laws.

He said a meeting would be convened of the concerned faculties to design a strategy to help the department and suggested the IG to depute an officer to finalise the arrangements for regular visits of students and varsity teachers to the jails.

The VC said PU experts would provide assistance in education and therapy of the prisoners free of cost.

He also agreed to conducting surprise visits to the prisons for inspection and checking the quality of food, cleanliness in kitchens, store and provision of medical facilities in jails.

IG prisons also delivered lecture to the students of the Institute of Communication Studies about the working of the department.

He said technical education besides religious courses were offered to the prisoners with the help of Tevta and Allama Iqnal Open University.

He said overall security had been beefed up across the province and modern jamming devices were installed in all jails.

Later, ICS in-charge Prof Dr Nosheena Saleem and Senior Faculty Member Dr Waqar Chaudhry thanked the IG for visiting the institute and briefing the students.

EXAMINATION: Punjab University Examination Department has notified that BA/BSc Composite (Old Scheme) Part-I and II Supplementary Examination 2017 scheduled to be held on Nov 27and 28 were postponed and will be re-conducted on Dec 4 and 5, respectively.

The candidates who remained absent owing to non-receipt of roll number slips or otherwise are given another chance to appear in their missed papers.

The examination will be held on Feb 2 and 6, respectively, and the students who appeared in Dec 4 and 5 examinations were not entitled for it.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2018