LAHORE, July 20: As many as 309 under-trial women prisoners languishing in nine different jails of the province have been released on bail since July 10 in compliance with the presidential ordinance.

Punjab Prisons IG Capt Sarfaraz Ahmad Mufti (retired) told APP here on Thursday that 555 women prisoners out of total 710 had moved bail applications in the competent courts, of whom 309 had so far been released.

“In the light of the ordinance, all Prisons DIGs, and superintendents of central and district jails across the province have been directed to contact district and sessions judges and district coordination officers of their respective areas, to arrange visits of judicial officers to jails for granting bails to eligible female prisoners,” he said.

He said DIG (Inspection) Salik Jalal has been asked to coordinate with all relevant authorities to ensure compliance of the ordinance.—APP