ISLAMABAD: The provincial government in Pakistan’s Punjab province has paid wages to inmates ahead of Eid for crafting handmade ‘Norozi chappals,’ the home department said on Monday, marking a significant step in prison labor reforms.
The prisoners at Punjab’s Shahpur prison, trained by experts from the private sector, were paid as part of Punjab’s Jail Reforms Agenda for making Norozi chappals, a variation of the traditional Peshawari chappal, that are crafted from full-grain leather and feature a classic toe and cross-over strap design. These chappals often feature a double sole for added comfort and durability.
Tauseef Sabeeh Gondal, a Punjab home department spokesperson, said the provincial government is utilizing corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs of private companies to train inmates in various skills and the earnings would allow them to cover personal expenses within prison facilities and support their families outside.
“Around 20 prisoners were trained in the initial phase and they are now earning fair wages. In the open market, laborers typically receive Rs450 ($1.60) per set of 12 pieces of the upper or lower part of the sandal, but under this program, inmates are paid Rs455 per set,” Gondal said.
“Just two days ago, these inmates were paid around Rs10,000 ($35) each for their work.”
The Jail Reforms Agenda, which was initiated last year, covers all 44 prisons in the province and has introduced motor mechanics, barbering and information technology (IT) skills development programs, according to the home department.
Inmates in Punjab are now engaged in producing goods, including clothing, carpets, furniture, handicrafts, tiles, paper, footballs, perfumes and tissue paper. While eligibility criteria for these training programs vary, initially, prisoners with good conduct were selected.
Gondal said although industrial units for carpet, sports goods and manufacturing of some other goods already existed in Punjab prisons, this specific project aimed to ensure vocational training reached all inmates.
“The reforms go beyond industrial training. The government has also introduced educational programs, improved visitation facilities, psychological counseling, and skill development centers to help inmates reintegrate into society,” he shared.
Currently, a prison in Faisalabad is operating a full-scale printing press, Kasur prison is manufacturing shoes, and Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore is producing high-quality furniture, according to the official.
“In fact, I have a table in my office that was made by prisoners at Kot Lakhpat,” Gondal added.
At Punjab prison, inmates earn honest wage making leather shoes ahead of Eid
https://arab.news/rahyt
At Punjab prison, inmates earn honest wage making leather shoes ahead of Eid
- The inmates, trained by experts from the private sector, were paid as part of the Punjab government’s Jail Reforms Agenda launched last year
- Official says the skill development program and earnings would allow prisoners to cover personal expenses within prisons and support families
Pakistan joins 22 Muslim states, OIC to condemn Israeli FM’s visit to Somaliland
- Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited breakaway African region of Somaliland on January 6
- Muslim states urge Israel to withdraw Somaliland recognition, respect Somalia’s sovereignty
ISLAMABAD: A joint statement by Pakistan, 22 other Muslim states and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Thursday condemned Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar’s recent visit to Somaliland as a violation of the African nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Saar’s visit to Somaliland capital Hargeisa on Jan. 6 followed Israel’s move last month to recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region from Somalia, as an independent country. The move drew a sharp reaction from Muslim states, including Pakistan, who said it was in contravention of the UN Charter and international norms.
Several international news outlets months earlier reported that Israel had contacted Somaliland over the potential resettlement of Palestinians forcibly removed from Gaza. Muslim countries fear Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region could be part of its plan to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza to the region.
“The said visit constitutes a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and undermines established international norms and the United Nations Charter,” the joint statement shared by Pakistan’s foreign office, read.
The joint statement was issued on behalf of 23 Muslim states, including Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Jordan, Kuwait, Türkiye, Oman and others.
It reaffirmed support for Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, pointing out that respect for international law and non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states was necessary for regional stability.
“Encouraging secessionist agendas are unacceptable and risk exacerbating tensions in an already fragile region,” the statement said.
The joint statement urged Israel to revoke its recognition of the breakaway region.
“Israel should fully respect Somalia’s sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity and honor its obligations in compliance with international law, and demand immediate revocation of the recognition issued by Israel,” the statement read.
Somaliland broke away from Somalia unilaterally in 1991 as a civil war raged in the country. Somaliland has its own constitution, parliament and currency, a move that has infuriated Somalia over the years as it insists the region is part of its territory.
