KARACHI: Eight prisoners were released from different jails of the province after the Sindh government announced a remission of 120 days, or four months, in the sentence of all convicted prisoners on account of Eidul Azha on Wednesday, officials said.

They said that the decision would also benefit over 300 other prisoners.

The special remission was given on the directives of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

An order issued by Home Secretary Aijaz Ali Shah stated that the remission was not for those convicted of murder, espionage, subversion, anti-state activities, terrorist activities, rape, kidnapping/abduction, robbery and dacoity and under the Foreigners Act, 1946.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Prisons Anwar Mustafa told the media that four prisoners were released from the Karachi central prison and two each from Malir Jail and Central Prison Sukkur.

He said that a total of 302 convicted prisoners — 64 in Hyderabad, 61 Khairpur, 52 Karachi, 41 Sukkur, 42 Mirpurkhas and 23 in Larkana prisons — were reduced in compliance with the government decision.

Earlier in April, the Sindh government had also granted four-month remission to prisoners on the occasion of Eidul Fitr.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2023