Islamabad, On the festive occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, the President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, has made a significant announcement regarding the Interim Constitution of Azad Jammu and Kashmir 1974. Utilizing his powers under Article 10, the President has approved a 90-day special leniency in the sentences of prisoners within AJK jails. This clemency, however, excludes those incarcerated for anti-state activities, murder, terrorism, sectarianism, revenge, anti-national, and espionage crimes, allowing other prisoners the opportunity to celebrate Eid with their families.

According to President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, this decision underscores a compassionate approach towards the prison population, offering a moment of relief and family reunion in observance of one of the most important Muslim festivities. The move is aimed at promoting goodwill and rehabilitation among inmates, reinforcing the importance of mercy and forgiveness characteristic of Eid-ul-Fitr’s spirit.

The announcement reflects the AJK government’s dedication to humane prison reforms and the welfare of individuals serving sentences for lesser crimes. By excluding serious offenses, the initiative ensures that the leniency is carefully applied, balancing justice with compassion. This decision is anticipated to positively impact numerous families, enabling them to reunite and celebrate the festival of Eid together.

This gesture of goodwill from the AJK presidency is part of a broader tradition in many Muslim-majority countries, where Eid celebrations are often marked by acts of clemency towards prisoners, reflecting the festival’s ethos of forgiveness and new beginnings.