ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has granted a special remission of 180 days in sentences for prisoners on the occasion of Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) 1500th birth anniversary, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Sunday.
Pakistani leaders traditionally announce sentence remissions for prisoners on religious festivals and other special occasions like the two Eid festivals, Independence Day and Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birth anniversary. The remissions are intended as goodwill gestures to promote rehabilitation and allow selected inmates to reunite with their families during important national and religious holidays.
“After due consultation, and in a spirit of mercy and compassion, the Prime Minister concurred with the President’s proposal to enhance this remission to one hundred and eighty days,” the state media said.
Pakistan marked the 1500th birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Saturday with religious fervor. Zardari granted the remission in sentences on the advice of the prime minister and the federal cabinet, who had originally recommended a 100-day remission, Radio Pakistan said.
Radio Pakistan clarified that the special remission would apply to prisoners meeting the prescribed criteria under the law, while those convicted of serious crimes such as murder, “terrorism,” espionage and major financial offenses will remain excluded from it.
