Karachi: A ‘dream came true’ as inmates wore graduation gowns to receive certificates after completing various courses at a convocation ceremony held at the Central Jail, Karachi.
On Thursday, Central Jail Karachi held a convocation ceremony for inmates associated with Alhidmat Foundation (AKF). On the occasion, certificates were awarded to 248 inmates who graduated in graphic design, computer and information technology (CIT) and foreign languages such as English and Chinese.
Sindh Prisons Minister Ali Hassan Zardari, who was the chief guest on the occasion, presented plaques and certificates to 12 toppers in their respective courses. They were also awarded a cash prize of $25,000 each. Certificates were also distributed to the teachers of the inmates as a sign of appreciation.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Zardari praised the prison administration for organizing the event and said, “I am not your ruler, but your helper.” Emphasizing unity in the prison system, he said: “From the prisoner to the IG prison, we are a family. “We must work together to improve society,” he said.
Central Jail Karachi, AKF conducted meetings, distributed certificates, awards
In response to media queries, the minister announced plans to scale such a program to other jails in Sindh. Addressing the problem of overcrowding in Sindh jails, he said that the now abandoned Thatta jail would be rehabilitated in six months and work had started on Malir jail by December. He also said that efforts are being made to convert the jail into solar power.
Answering questions about mobile signal blocking around Jail Tengah due to security threats, he said security threats still persist.
Job holder Mohammed Nauman scored 98pc in the Chinese language course and completed the CIT course, not the trial. He hopes these skills will lead to better job opportunities after release.
Yusuf, who came back to life, received four degrees in prison. She said she was excited to wear her graduation gown for the first time, saying it was “a dream come true.”
Farman Ali, a CIT teacher on death row, was happy with the success of his students and said, “I am most happy to see the success of the students I trained.” Mardan said he wants to create an IT center.
Also, Senior Jail Superintendent Abdul Karim Abbasi said Karachi Central Jail is not only the largest jail in Pakistan, but also provides technical and vocational training to inmates to facilitate their reintegration into society after release.
AKF Karachi CEO Naveed Ali Baig announced plans to set up new vocational training and vocational institutes in prisons to equip prisoners with technical and vocational skills. Meanwhile, AKF Community Services Director Kazi Sadaruddin said, “We have set up an IT institute in the Central Jail where short courses in various foreign languages are also offered to the inmates.”
He further said that AKF had established an IT institute in 2001 and short courses in various languages and graphic design were also introduced. He said that such an incident had never happened in any prison in Pakistan.
Inspector General of Prisons Sindh Kazi Nazir Ahmed, Deputy IG Prisons M. Hassan Sahito and Additional Superintendent Imtiaz Ali Soomro were present on the occasion, along with senior officials of the Prison Administration and AKF.
