Islamabad, In a compassionate gesture aligned with the spirit of national celebration and forgiveness, President Asif Ali Zardari has sanctioned a special remission for certain categories of prisoners on the auspicious occasions of Pakistan Day and Eid ul Fitr. The decision reflects the nation’s values of mercy and benevolence, particularly during times of communal festivity.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the President exercised his constitutional authority to grant a 90-day reduction in the sentences of eligible prisoners for each occasion, reinforcing the country’s tradition of offering clemency in conjunction with significant national and religious celebrations. However, this leniency excludes prisoners convicted of grave offenses including murder, espionage, and anti-state activities, underscoring a balanced approach between compassion and the imperatives of justice and national security.

The remission is targeted at specific prisoner demographics, including elderly male inmates aged over 65 and female inmates aged over 60 who have served one-third of their sentence, as well as juvenile detainees under similar conditions of sentence completion. This initiative is aimed at providing relief to vulnerable prisoner populations, recognizing the importance of rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

This act of presidential clemency on such celebratory occasions not only offers a second chance to the beneficiaries but also embodies the nation’s commitment to humane values and social integration, especially in the context of forgiveness and new beginnings marked by Pakistan Day and Eid ul Fitr.