Punjab CM Maryam paid a visit to the central prison Kot Lakhpat Jail where she broke fast with inmates and announced remission and measures to reform the correction facilities across the province.
She distributed gifts, clothes and assistance of Rs15,000 to prisoners. The Punjab chief minister inaugurated a 20-bed hospital for the rehabilitation of drug addicts within the prison.
She toured Pakistan’s first-ever video call facility for prisoners at the Lahore Central Jail and checked the quality of food prepared for prisoners. Reportedly, she also visited the cell where she and her father Nawaz Sharif were incarcerated.
Maryam also spoke to the prisoners and asked about their issues and problems.
She recalled her ordeal and condemned the political persecution of her family.
She said she was in the death row cell and faced a tough time. She said: “My father faced confinement in his jail too. We were not permitted visits. Just one visit a week was granted.
“I was not allowed to talk to my mother who was suffering from cancer. I was worried for my 15-year-old daughter.”
She added: “I know the problems of prisoners. We will fix these woes.
“Due to weaknesses in the justice system, even innocent people have to spend time in jail.”
She said a video call facility will be provided in all jails of Punjab soon.
She added: “We will better food system. Improvements in the prison system will be brought.”
“There should be a respectful and dignified procedure for meeting prisoners with their families.
“Prisoners will be taught skills in prisons and put on their own feet. Four doctors will be on duty in the hospital of the Central Jail and there is also an operation theatre.
Adviser Pervez Rasheed, Minister Azma Bukhari and senior officials accompanied the CM.