LAHORE, April 25: PML-N leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has directed release of all prisoners in Punjab who are still incarcerated due to non-payment of fine even after completion of their sentences.

According to a handout, Punjab Prisons Minister Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor called on Nawaz Sharif on Friday who directed him to complete lists of all such prisoners. Nawaz Sharif said that he would himself arrange money for the payment of fine.

Nawaz Sharif also directed the minister to take measures for the release of petty offenders. The provincial minister said that he would take steps for the welfare of the prisoners.

The minister informed the former prime minister that there were 58,000 prisoners in various jails of the province against the total capacity of 22,000. The PML-N leader also directed early completion of under-construction jails to eliminate overcrowding in prisons.