Pakistan Day and Eid gift: President Zardari announces special remission in prison sentences

WEB DESK: President Asif Ali Zardari has announced a 180-day special remission in sentences for prisoners on the occasion of Pakistan Day and Eid ul Fitr. He approved the sentence reduction under Article 45 of the Constitution.

It must be noted, however, that the remission will not apply to prisoners convicted of murder, espionage, and anti-state activities. It will also exclude those convicted of rape, theft, robbery, kidnapping, and terrorism.

Additionally, the sentence reduction will not be applicable to individuals involved in financial crimes, offenses causing losses to the national treasury, or those convicted under the Foreigners Act, 1946, and the Control of Narcotic Substances (Amendment) Act, 2022.

The remission will primarily apply to male prisoners over 65 years of age who have served at least one-third of their sentence, as well as female prisoners over 60 years of age who have completed one-third of their sentence. Women prisoners detained with their children and juvenile offenders under 18 who have served one-third of their sentences will also be eligible for the remission.