Says Rs5.5b Prison Package introduced to reform century-old jail system
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Friday termed the opposition’s agitation as an attempt of self-projection, saying the opposition parties have lost their reliability in the masses.
The chief minister said the government has full understanding of the problems of the common man and every step is being taken to overcome them.
The district price control committees have been activated to stabilize the prices and sustained efforts will be continued to control prices, he maintained.
There is no room for politics of agitation but the opposition is trying to deceive the masses in the garb of price-hike, he stated.
In fact, the power-hungry opposition’s approach is contrary to the national interest as it has no regard for the masses, concluded the CM.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said that Rs5.5 billion prison package would help introduce important reforms in jails to revamp the 127 years old jail system.
The chief minister said the government is paying attention to reforming the prisoners as useful organ of the society.
While giving details of the prison package, the CM added that gaysers are being installed in jails and the inmates would be allowed to keep mattresses, blankets and pillows.
Similarly, air coolers, exhaust fans, lights and additional fans would also be fitted to provide a conducive atmosphere to the prisoners.
Alongside, recreational and educational facilities, as well as daycare centres, would be provided to women detainees and their children of up to six years of age.
Meanwhile, protection of rights of juvenile offenders would be ensured and no one will be allowed to exploit them, he continued.
The CM announced that medical camps would be set up every month in jails for prisoners’ medical check-up. The government has changed the lunch and dinner timings, he appended.
It is sanguine that different ceremonies were held in jails in connection with Ashra Shane Rehmatul Lil-Alameen (SAWW) and prizes were distributed among the position holders.
The CM pointed out that the service structure of jails staff was being improved and added that prison security allowance, equal to one additional basic pay, will be given to jail staff along with salaries and allowances.
Some Rs2.77 billion would be spent on this package, he told and added that permission has been granted to upgrade the posts of jail warden, head warden and chief warden with an amount of Rs92 million. Rs106 million will be spent to provide 21 operational vehicles to prisons department, he added.
The Punjab government has upgraded the jail martyrs package and the children of martyrs of Punjab Prison Service will be given government employment, he informed.
Meanwhile, scholarships, dowery funds and medical allowance would also be given to children of jail employees in partnership with PPF, he said. Two vans will be provided to every jail and a total of 72 vans will be given with an amount of Rs.91.40 crore, he stated.
Meanwhile, Rs.7.17 crore would be spent to repair 287 vans in different jails. No past government paid heed to ameliorate a lot of the prisoners and jail officials. It is hoped that the prison package would introduce far-reaching reforms in the jails, concluded the CM.
Meanwhile, CM Usman Buzdar sought a report from commissioner Rawalpindi and the secretary schools education department about the death of two children due to the collapse of a private school’s wall in Jhelum.
The CM directed to investigate the incident adding that the best treatment facilities be provided to the injured teachers and students. He also extended sympathies to the bereaved heirs.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar constituted a ministerial committee, comprising Law Minister Raja Basharat and Public Prosecution Minister Ch Zaheeruddin for holding dialogue with the defunct Tehreek-e-Labbaik.
The government desires to resolve the matter with mutual understanding as there is the need to collectively work for peace in the country in accordance with Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAWW), the CM stated.
