PROVINCE REPORT
PESHAWAR: Inspector General of Prisons Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rehan Gul Khattak has said unprecedented facilities are being provided to prisoners across the province as part of ongoing reforms in the prison system.
He expressed these views during a meeting with Director General Information Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ansarullah Khilji, who visited his office on Wednesday.
The IG Prisons thanked Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi for approving proposals aimed at improving the welfare of prisoners and prison staff.
Sharing details of the reforms, Rehan Gul Khattak said the Prison Visitors Management System was being upgraded at a cost of Rs28 million, while Rs37 million had been allocated for telemedicine services. Under the initiative, prisoners would be able to consult specialist doctors through Zoom.
He said inmates could now connect with their families anywhere in the world through video calls, describing the facility as an important step towards maintaining family contact.
The IG Prisons said prison staff were also being supported through mental health and wellness programmes, including therapy, acknowledging the impact of the prison environment on their wellbeing.
He appreciated the interest of Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Prisons Iftikharullah Jan in the welfare of prisoners and prison staff.
Rehan Gul Khattak said concrete steps were also being taken to equip juvenile prisoners with skills to help them become productive and law-abiding citizens.
He appreciated the Chief Minister’s guidance and continued support for improving the prison system in the province.
The IG Prisons also termed the special allowance approved for prison staff a kind gesture by the Chief Minister, saying the staff would always remember the support.
