LAHORE : Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi presided over a special meeting pertaining to jail reforms at CMO today in which various proposals and recommendations were being submitted for the welfare of the prisoners being detained in the prisons. CM sought a comprehensive plan within seven days with regard to the jail reforms. CM while chairing the meeting said that the prisoners who give better performance during attaining their education will be given remission in their punishments. While it was also principally decided that the doctors working in the jail hospitals will be given Rs. 1.5 lac special allowance. It was also recommended during the meeting to give every prisoner 300 minutes on monthly basis in order to talk with their family members. Pervaiz Elahi directed to provide quality food and eggs in the breakfast for the prisoners. He directed that necessary action should be taken in order to provide foreign prisoners access to their relevant Consul Generals. It was also decided during the meeting to handover the arrangements of the jail canteen to the utility stores and other mega stores. CM ordered to undertake prompt measures so as to provide free legal aid to the abandoned prisoners. He informed that all the prisoners in the prisons will also be provided hygiene kits for their cleanliness. He directed to ensure medical check up of the prisoners after every three months and female prisoners should be provided mammogram medical test facility. He directed that better arrangements should be made for the prisoners and rooms should be properly arranged for their meeting with their family members. He directed that installation of cooling system in the prisons should be completed in a phased manner. He disclosed that the arrangements of 43 hospitals of the prisons will be handed over to the Health Department and their further upgradation will also be done. CM asserted that the prisons should be up to a living standard for the prisoners adding that he desires to ensure provision of basic human rights to the prisoners in the prisons. He highlighted that the purpose behind reforms is to provide basic facilities to the prisoners. CM directed to arrange gymnasium and sports facilities for the detained children in the prisons. CM appreciated the endeavours of Haba Fawad, Member Jails Reforms Committee for the rights of the imprisoned women and children.
He lauded that Haba Fawad did a commendable work for the protection of the rights of the imprisoned women and children and paid rich tributes to Haba Fawad’s performance with regard to jail reforms. The proposal to provide air conditioned buses to the prisoners for their appearing in the courts also came under review. Former Federal Minister Moonis Elahi, Provincial Ministers Muhammad Basharat Raja, Colonel (R) Hashim Dogar, Provincial Adviser Amir Saeed Raan, Principal Secretary to CM Muhammad Khan Bhatti, ACS (Home), Inspector General (Prisons), Members Jail Reforms Committee Hamesh Khan, Haba Fawad, Remal Mohyuddin, Sara Bilal, Hammad Arshad and concerned officials attended the meeting. Hamesh Khan and other members submitted their proposals with regard to jail reforms.