Punjab Launches Major Prison Reforms with Rs28 Billion Development Budget
Punjab’s Home Secretary, Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi, chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday to review progress on a wide range of development projects aimed at modernizing the province’s prison system. These reforms are part of a broader initiative to improve jail infrastructure and inmate welfare across Punjab.
38 Projects Underway, Rs9 Billion Already Utilized
According to an official spokesperson, a total of 38 development projects are currently active across various jails in Punjab. These include 34 ongoing schemes and four newly launched projects, with a total allocated budget of Rs28 billion. Out of this, Rs9 billion has already been spent on construction, rehabilitation, and modernization work.
Key developments include:
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Lahore Prison Complex, being built at a cost of Rs6 billion, will house up to 10,000 inmates upon completion.
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District Jail in Sialkot, with an investment of Rs4.8 billion, is designed for 2,000 prisoners.
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Upgrades to medical facilities, modern barracks, kitchen areas, and visitor sheds.
Focus on Transparency, Quality & Inmate Welfare
Dr. Qazi directed all relevant departments to ensure transparency, quality control, and timely execution of the projects. He emphasized that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is closely supervising the progress as part of her government’s wider prison reform agenda.
Echoing a rehabilitation-first approach, Dr. Qazi stated:
“We must hate the crime, not the criminal.”
He urged officials to maintain human dignity within the correctional system and stressed the need for proactive dengue prevention and monsoon safety measures across prison facilities.
Zero Tolerance for Corruption
Reiterating the government’s strict policy, the Home Secretary assured a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption, underlining the need for full compliance with the Home Department’s reform guidelines.
The meeting was attended by Inspector General of Prisons Mian Farooq Nazir, Additional Secretary Prisons Asim Raza, and other senior officials. Regional DIGs and jail superintendents joined via video conference to share updates from their respective zones.
A Step Towards Humane and Modern Correctional Facilities
With Punjab’s prisons facing severe overcrowding, these development projects offer hope for a more humane and efficient prison system. The government’s commitment to both infrastructure upgrades and inmate rehabilitation marks a significant step in reshaping the correctional landscape in the province.
