Punjab approves 30-day remission for illiterate prisoners completing literacy programme

What happened

The Punjab government has approved a 30-day special remission for illiterate convicted prisoners who complete an approved literacy programme [1, 2, 3]. This decision follows the Punjab governor allowing an amendment to the Pakistan Prisons Rules, 1978, which took effect immediately [1].

According to a notification from the Punjab Home Department and a subsequent gazette from the Punjab Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department, a new Rule 215-A has been inserted [1]. Under this rule, a convicted illiterate prisoner who obtains a certificate of proficiency in reading, writing, and numeracy through a programme approved by the Literacy and Non-Formal Basic Education Department is entitled to the remission [1, 3]. The jail superintendent is responsible for granting this special remission [1, 2]. This 30-day reduction is granted in addition to and independently of any other ordinary or special remissions [1].

The Punjab government has been operating an adult literacy programme in all provincial jails since May 2026 [1]. Current data regarding the programme includes:

• 19,578 prisoners have been taught under the programme so far [1].
• 11,317 inmates have passed the literacy examination [1].
• 4,088 prisoners have been released [1].
• Over 4,000 inmates are currently attending classes at 182 literacy centres located across 43 Punjab jails [1].
• Current attendees include 3,986 men, 187 women, and 105 juveniles [1].

Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi stated that the department is pursuing the goals of education, reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of prisoners into society [1]. He noted that the main objectives of the literacy programme are to promote education, self-confidence, discipline, and positive thinking, and that jails are being converted into correctional centres [1].

Who is affected

The policy affects illiterate convicted prisoners in Punjab jails who participate in the literacy and non-formal basic education department’s approved programmes [1, 2]. Specifically, the current programme involves 4,000 inmates across 43 jails, including men, women, and juveniles [1].