President Grants Annual Sentence Reduction to Inmates
Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has approved a 180-day reduction in prisoners’ sentences on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr and Pakistan Day. This remission has been granted under Article 45 of the Constitution, which empowers the President to reduce, pardon, or suspend sentences. The decision reflects the government’s commitment to humanitarian values and aims to provide deserving prisoners with an opportunity for rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
Categories of Prisoners Eligible for Sentence Reduction
The sentence reduction applies to specific categories of prisoners who meet certain conditions. These include:
- Under-18 prisoners who have completed at least one-third of their sentences. This provision ensures that juvenile offenders, who may have committed crimes at a young age, get a chance at rehabilitation.
- Women over 60 years old who have served one-third of their sentences. The initiative recognizes the challenges older women face in prisons and seeks to provide them relief.
- Male Prisoners over 65 years old who have completed one-third of their sentences. With advancing age and health concerns, the authorities grant older male prisoners an opportunity for early release.
- Women prisoners with children in jail. This is an effort to support imprisoned mothers and their children, ensuring a better future for both.
Prisoners Excluded from Sentence Reduction
Despite this gesture of leniency, the government excludes certain categories of prisoners from the remission to maintain law and order and uphold justice. The sentence reduction will not apply to prisoners convicted of:
- Murder – To ensure justice for victims and their families.
- Espionage and anti-state activities – Those posing threats to national security remain ineligible.
- Adultery, theft, and robbery – To uphold societal and legal norms.
- Kidnapping and terrorism – Dangerous offenders are not granted relief.
- Financial crimes and offenses against the national exchequer – Individuals responsible for corruption and economic offenses remain excluded.
- Foreigners Act, 1946, and Narcotics Control (Amendment) Act, 2022 – Convicts under these laws are not eligible for the sentence reduction.
Legal Basis and Government Policy
The President’s approval follows Rule 15A of the Rules of Business, reinforcing the government’s authority to grant such remissions. The initiative aligns with Pakistan’s criminal Justice policies, which aim to provide rehabilitation opportunities while maintaining strict exclusions for serious offenders.
A Continuing Tradition of Clemency
Pakistan has a long-standing tradition of granting sentence remissions on special occasions, such as Eid-ul-Fitr and Independence Day. These reductions serve as an act of compassion, allowing eligible prisoners to return to their families and reintegrate into society. This approach not only benefits the prisoners but also helps decongest prisons, ensuring better living conditions for remaining inmates.
Conclusion
President Asif Ali Zardari’s approval of the 180-day sentence reduction reflects a balanced approach to criminal justice—providing relief to deserving inmates while maintaining strict restrictions for dangerous offenders. This annual clemency continues to serve as a symbol of goodwill, reinforcing the state’s commitment to human rights and social rehabilitation.
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