ISLAMABAD: On the advice of the caretaker Prime Minister retired Justice Nasirul Mulk, the president of Pakistan has announced a special remission in sentence — up to one year for general prisoners and a total remission for the elderly and juvenile prisoners, on the occasion of Eidul Fitr.

According to a notification from the interior ministry on Tuesday, President Mamnoon Hussain in exercise of powers under Article 45 of the Constitution has granted special remissions.

A special remission of 90 days has been granted to prisoners convicted for life except those convicted for murder, espionage, anti-state activities, sectarianism, zina, robbery, dacoity, abduction and acts of terrorism.

Special remissions of 45 days for all convicts except condemned prisoners and those convicted of murder, espionage, subversion, anti-state activities, acts of terrorism, zina, robbery, dacoity, abduction and those undergoing sentences under the Foreign Act, 1946.

Remission will be admissible provided that the convicts have undergone two-third of their substantive sentence of imprisonment.

Total remission has been granted to male prisoners who are 65 years of age or above and have undergone at least one-third of their substantive sentence, except those involved in culpable homicide and acts of terrorism.

A total remission has also been given to female prisoners who are 60 years of age or above and have undergone at least one-third of their sentence, except those involved in culpable homicide and acts of terrorism.

A special year-long remission has been given to female prisoners who have children with them in prison and are serving sentences of imprisonment for crimes, except those who were convicted on charges of culpable homicide and terrorism.

A total remission has been announced for juvenile convicts who have served one- third of their sentence except those who were involved in culpable homicide and acts of terrorism, zina, robbery and kidnapping.

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2018