LAHORE: In a humanitarian move ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved a 90-day special amnesty for select prisoners across the province. The initiative, aimed at allowing reformed inmates to reunite with their families for the festive occasion, is expected to benefit around 450 prisoners.
Following the chief minister’s directive, the Punjab Home Department issued a notification under Rule 216 of the Pakistan Prison Rules 1978, formally implementing the amnesty. Out of the total beneficiaries, 270 prisoners will be released from jails across Punjab in time for Eid celebrations.
Criteria and Conditions
According to officials, the amnesty is being granted to prisoners who have demonstrated good behaviour or had their fines paid through private donations or by family members. The move is seen as part of broader efforts to encourage rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into society.
However, the amnesty comes with strict exclusions to ensure that serious offenders do not benefit from the concession.
Prisoners Excluded from Amnesty
The special pardon does not apply to inmates convicted of the following:
- Terrorism, sectarian violence, or anti-state activities
- Espionage, sedition, or actions against national security
- Murder, adultery, robbery, or kidnapping
- Drug trafficking or smuggling
- Financial embezzlement or crimes that caused losses to the national exchequer
Home Department officials clarified that only those prisoners who meet the criteria set forth in the Pakistan Prison Rules are eligible, and the amnesty is in line with existing legal frameworks.
The initiative reflects a compassionate approach toward reformed inmates while maintaining firm boundaries against serious and violent crimes.
