ATTOCK, Aug 14: Twenty-eight prisoners were released from the district jail on Monday after President Pervez Musharraf awarded remission to them on the occasion of the country’s 60th Independence Day.

According to Superintendent Jail Syed Babar Ali, the jail terms of 18 other prisoners had also been reduced by 45 days.

Mr Ali told reporters that those who had been convicted on or before August 13, 2007 were entitled to the special relaxation, except those convicted of murder, espionage, anti- state activities, adultery, kidnapping and terrorist acts.

The prisoners, who were released in the evening, were warmly received by their relatives outside the prison.

Meanwhile, talking to the prisoners, District Coordination Officer (DCO) Attock Chaudhry Mukhtar Ahmed said the detainees should concentrate on reforming themselves while serving their sentences.

He said the government was utilising all available resources to ensure provision of better facilities to the prisoners.

Mr Ahmed said construction work on a B-class cell in District Jail Attock would begin soon as the project had been approved by the authorities.—APP