LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar is said to have arranged Rs38.2 million through donations from affluent people to pay fine and diyat for 657 poor prisoners and release them before Eid.

The process of releasing the prisoners, after paying fine and diyat, has begun and so far 514 prisoners have been released. The remaining 143 will be freed before Eid.

The chief minister said the Punjab government was working for the welfare of prisoners along with other segments of society. He said he had personally visited prisons across Punjab in order to assess the actual situation so that welfare steps could be taken according to ground realities.

RAILWAYS MINISTER: Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed called on Chief Minister Buzdar on Sunday and discussed public welfare projects and the prevailing political situation in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said the present government had promoted austerity at every level. He said the available resources would be utilised judiciously and every area get equal development opportunities.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2019