What the new rule does
The new Punjab prisoner remission rule lets convicted prisoners who cannot read or write earn 30 days off their time in custody by finishing a basic education course. Remission reduces the period a prisoner must serve, so the change directly affects how long these inmates stay behind bars. The rule applies only to convicted prisoners, so people held before trial are not covered by the description in the official material used here. The Punjab Home Department has issued a notification that changes the Pakistan Prisons Rules 1978 to make the scheme possible. The step is one of the reform measures pursued by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
Under the Punjab prisoner remission scheme, a prisoner must complete an approved literacy programme and receive a certificate covering reading, writing and simple sums. The Literacy and Non-Formal Basic Education Department issues that certificate, and the jail superintendent then grants the remission. A prisoner who does not reach the certificate stage does not qualify for the extra days under the rule as described.
Programme figures so far
The measure builds on an adult education effort that has run in the province's jails since May 2026, following a directive from the chief minister. Figures given for the programme so far show that 19,578 prisoners have been taught. Of them, 11,317 have passed the literacy test and 4,088 have since been released.
At present, 4,173 prisoners are attending classes at 182 literacy centres across 43 jails. That group includes 3,986 men, 187 women and 105 juveniles. Including women and young inmates means the scheme reaches beyond adult male prisoners, although the figures do not give separate results for each group.
What officials said and what comes next
The Punjab Home Secretary said the programme is meant to educate prisoners, reform them and help them rejoin society after release. He added that encouraging learning, self-belief and discipline among inmates is central to the effort, and that jails are being recast as correctional centres. The notification's full text was not among the sources used for this report, so its exact procedures are described only as officials and the summaries outlined them.
The sources do not say when the first remissions will be granted or how many prisoners are expected to qualify under the new rule. Its effect will depend on how many prisoners finish the course and receive their certificates. Classes are already being held in 43 jails, so the next step is the completion of those courses and the awarding of certificates.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Punjab mein jo anpadh qaidi jail ke andar basic literacy course mukammal karke certificate hasil karenge, unhein 30 din ki special remission milegi. Remission ka matlab hai ke qaid ki muddat 30 din kam ho sakti hai. Yeh program is waqt 43 jails mein chal raha hai aur ab tak 19,578 qaidi is mein shamil hue hain. Aam logon ke liye yeh khabar bataati hai ke jail ko sudhar aur taleem ki jagah banane par zor diya ja raha hai.
