KARACHI, Aug 16: Like in other parts of the country, over 5,000 convicts in different jails of Sindh could not get relief on the occasion of 55th Independence Day as no special remission in their sentences was granted by the president on the public rejoicing day.

Jail authorities here told Dawn that they did not receive any orders for special remission or reduction in the sentences of the convicts either from the president or the governor.

They recalled that the president had last year granted one-year special remission to convicts serving life terms and the others a six-month reduction in their sentences.

Except for the convicts in the cases of espionage, anti-state activities, sectarianism, rape, kidnapping, terrorism and murder, every convict was benefited by the special remission, they said.

The authorities said the celebrations of the last Independence Day had marked the release of as many as 155 convicts in the province after they were granted special remissions in their sentences by President General Pervaiz Musharraf.

They said last year 95 prisoners in Central Prison (I), Sukkur, 12 in Central Prison (II), Sukkur, 41 in Central Prison Larkana, 11 in Central Prison, Khairpur, two in District Jail, Sanghar, five in District Jail, Dadu, and nine in District Jail, Mirpurkhas, were given remission in their sentences.

Besides, the jail authorities said 12 female prisoners in Women Jail, Karachi, were benefited last year by the remission, while three other women convicts were released after getting pardon.

Meanwhile, the jail authorities said a musical and variety show for over 4,600 inmates inside the Central Prison, Karachi was arranged on the occasion of Aug 14.

They said matches of football, cricket and volley ball were organized at almost every prison in the province.

The superintendent of Central Prison, Karachi, Rashid Saeed, said variety shows and sports programmes were organized in the prisons on the directives of IG Prisons, Sindh, Brig Nisar Mehar.

He said the programmes included matches of cricket, kabadi and football among the prisoners. Later, the captains of the winning teams were awarded trophies.

The JS said a colourful musical show was also arranged for the jail inmates in the evening. Famous singer Mohammed Ali Shehki, Aftab Alam and Shahzad Raza were among the performers, he said.