Punjab Approves 30-Day Remission for Inmates Who Can Read

The Punjab government has introduced a new policy granting a 30-day remission to illiterate prisoners who successfully complete a basic education program. This initiative aligns with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's broader prison reform agenda. The Punjab Home Department recently issued a notification amending the Pakistan Prisons Rules 1978 to implement this policy.

Under the new rule, convicts who undergo an approved literacy program and receive a certificate in fundamental skills like reading, writing, and arithmetic will be eligible for the remission. The Literacy and Non-Formal Basic Education Department will administer the certificates, while the jail superintendent will grant the remission.

The adult education program has been operational in prisons across the province since May 2026, under the chief minister's orders. To date, 19,578 prisoners have been educated through the program, with 4,088 having been released and 11,317 passing the literacy exam. Currently, 4,173 inmates are enrolled in 182 literacy centers located in 43 jails throughout Punjab, comprising 3,986 males, 187 females, and 105 juveniles.

The Punjab Prisoners Literacy Program aims to impart basic education to illiterate prisoners, fostering education, reform, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society. Promoting education among inmates, building self-confidence, discipline, and positive thinking are central objectives of the program. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to transform prisons into correctional centers.