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
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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 says Iraq expressed ‘keen interest’ in JF-17 jets at air chiefs meeting
- Pakistan’s defense sector has drawn growing interest and investment since a four-day standoff with India in May last year
- Many countries have since increased defense engagement, while multiple others have proposed learning from Pakistan’s expertise
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military said on Saturday that Iraq had shown “keen interest” in its JF-17 Thunder and Super Mushshak aircraft at a meeting between chiefs of the two air forces.
Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu called on Lt. Gen. Staff Pilot Mohanad Ghalib Mohammed Radi Al-Asadi, commander of the Iraqi Air Force, during his official visit to Iraq.
The Pakistani air chief was accorded a guard of honor at the Iraqi Air Force headquarters, symbolizing the strong bond of mutual respect, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.
“Discussions focused on enhancing bilateral military cooperation, with emphasis on joint training, capacity-building and improving operational cooperation,” the ISPR said.
“The Iraqi Air Chief praised PAF’s professionalism and technological advancement, expressed interest in benefiting from PAF’s world-class training and expressed keen interest in JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, Super Mushshak trainer aircraft.”
Pakistan’s defense sector has drawn growing interest and investment, particularly since a four-day India-Pakistan military standoff in May last year. Islamabad claimed victory in the standoff, saying it had shot down six Indian aircraft, including French-made Rafale jets. India acknowledged losses but did not specify a number.
Many countries have since stepped up defense engagement with Pakistan, while delegations from multiple other nations have proposed learning from Pakistan Air Force’s multi-domain air warfare capabilities that successfully demonstrated how advanced Chinese military technology performs against Western hardware.
Pakistan markets the Chinese co-developed JF-17 as a lower-cost multi-role fighter and has positioned itself as a supplier able to offer aircraft, training and maintenance outside Western supply chains.
Islamabad is in the final phases of striking a $1.5-billion deal to supply weapons and jets to Sudan in a major boost for Sudan’s army that has been battling the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, Reuters reported this week, citing a former top air force official and three sources.
The South Asian country reached a deal worth over $4 billion to sell military equipment to the Libyan National Army, Reuters report last month, citing Pakistani officials. The deal, one of Pakistan’s largest-ever weapons sales, included the sale of 16 JF-17 fighter jets and 12 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft for basic pilot training.
