Pakistan
Around 250 inmates complete IT, language courses in jail. On Thursday, the Central Prison Karachi, in collaboration with the Alkhidmat Foundation (AKF), hosted a convocation ceremony where 248 inmates received certificates for completing courses in graphic design, computer and information technology (CIT), and foreign languages such as English and Chinese. The event, a significant milestone for the inmates, featured participants in graduation gowns, fulfilling what many described as “a dream come true.”
During the ceremony, Sindh Minister for Prisons Ali Hassan Zardari, the chief guest, awarded shields and certificates to the top 12 performers in each course. These exceptional inmates also received a cash prize of Rs25,000 each. Additionally, inmate teachers were honored with certificates as a token of appreciation for their contributions.
Minister Zardari commended the prison administration for organizing the event, emphasizing unity and collaboration within the prison system. “I am not your ruler, but your helper,” he stated, highlighting the importance of working together to improve society. He also announced plans to replicate similar educational programs in other Sindh prisons, addressing the issue of overcrowding by reviving the Thatta prison and expanding Malir prison by December. Efforts to transition prisons to solar power were also mentioned.
In response to media queries about security concerns, the minister acknowledged the ongoing threats necessitating a mobile signal blockade around the Central Prison.
‘A Dream Come True’
Position holder Muhammad Nauman, who scored 98% in the Chinese language course despite being an under-trial inmate, expressed hope that his new skills would lead to better job opportunities post-release. Another inmate, Yousuf, serving a life sentence, celebrated earning four diplomas during his incarceration, calling the experience of wearing a graduation gown “a dream come true.”
Farman Ali, a CIT teacher on death row, shared his joy at his students’ success, expressing a desire to establish an IT center in Mardan. Senior Jail Superintendent Abdul Kareem Abbasi highlighted that Karachi Central Jail, the largest in Pakistan, leads in providing technical and vocational training to inmates, facilitating their reintegration into society.
AKF Karachi CEO Naveed Ali Baig announced plans for a new skill development center and vocational institute within the prison. Qazi Sadaruddin, director of community services at AKF, noted the establishment of an IT institute in 2001, which has since expanded to offer courses in various languages and graphic design.
The event was attended by notable figures including Sindh Prisons Inspector General Kazi Nazir Ahmed, Deputy IG Prison M. Hassan Sahito, and Additional Superintendent Imtiaz Ali Soomro, along with senior officials from the jail administration and AKF.
