Punjab has approved a 30-day special remission for illiterate convicted prisoners who complete a basic education program.
The move comes under the prison reforms agenda of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
The Punjab Home Department has issued a notification amending the Pakistan Prisons Rules 1978.
Under the new decision, illiterate convicted prisoners who complete an approved literacy program and obtain a certificate in basic reading, writing and arithmetic skills will be entitled to a 30-day special remission.
The Literacy and Non-Formal Basic Education Department will issue the certificate under an approved program, while the jail superintendent will grant the remission.
An adult education program has been running in jails across the province since May 2026 on the directives of the chief minister.
So far, 19,578 prisoners have been taught under the program, of whom 4,088 have been released, and 11,317 have passed the literacy examination.
Currently, 4,173 prisoners are studying at 182 literacy centers in 43 jails across Punjab, including 3,986 men, 187 women and 105 juvenile inmates.
According to the Punjab Home Secretary, the Punjab Prisoners Literacy Program provides basic education to illiterate prisoners.
He said the department is working on a mission of education, reform, rehabilitation, and reintegration of prisoners into society.
He added that promoting education among inmates, building self-confidence, discipline and positive thinking are key objectives of the program, and that jails are being transformed into correctional centers.
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