KARACHI, Dec 2: Many women prisoners whose remaining jail term is less than 90 days will be released soon by virtue of an announcement made by the IG Prisons during a visit to the prison by federal caretaker Minister for Human Rights Ansar Barney on Saturday.

The IG, Yameen Khan, told the minister that he was authorised to grant a 60-day remission to the prisoners whose record during detention was satisfactory. The jail superintendent, he added, was also authorised to grant a 30-day remission to such prisoners, he added.

Accordingly, he announced a 90-day remission “to all women prisoners and those who fall within the purview of the release.” He also announced release of a fine amount of Rs30,000 to help facilitate the release of Nigerian woman prisoner. She was released later.

Mr Burney was deeply impressed by the performance of a lady doctor who was taking care of ailing prisoners. He promised that he would make efforts for provision of an x-ray machine and blood pressure apparatus with the authorities concerned.

Mr Burney met 122 women prisoners, 57 of them foreigners. Many of the foreigners came from Bangladesh who said they had been trapped by women traffickers through their agents, who would promise lucrative jobs to Bangladeshi people.

The minister asked the women prisoners about the conditions prevailing at the prison.

The federal minister also paid a detailed visit to the Central Prison Karachi and the Youthful Offenders Industrial School.

He was given a briefing by the IG about various problems, including shortage of accommodation and inadequate funds for food and medicines required for 5,552 prisoners.

He said almost 75 per cent of the inmates were under-trial prisoners (UTPs) whose strength could be reduced by arranging speedy trial courts inside the jail. He said those who were awaiting a trial for minor offences could be released keeping in view the period of their detention in the jail. Most of them could be freed if the nature of their crime provided for a jail term not exceeding two years, he argued.

The minister assured the IG that he would discuss setting up of the speedy trial courts within the jail with the federal minister for law for this purpose.

Ansar Burney appreciated the establishment of a computer training centre within the jail where about 125 prisoners were being imparted training. He especially appreciated the work done by a prisoner, Anwar Shah, a blacksmith by profession, who had produced many items for use in the prison.

The IG informed the minister that looms had recently been installed at the prison and the prisoners were operating them to produce unbleached cloth.

“The inmates develop their skills in operating the looms whereas earnings from the sales of their produce go to the prisoners’ welfare funds,” he said.

Later, the minister visited the office of the Regional Directorate of Human Rights, Sindh.—APP