Karachi Web Desk: In a groundbreaking initiative, Sindh has taken a historic step by launching Pakistan’s first education program dedicated to the children of incarcerated individuals. This joint effort by the Sindh Education Department, Sindh Prisons Department, and Pegham-e-Pakistan aims to provide quality education to children whose parents are serving sentences.
A Visionary Step Towards Educational Inclusion
Sindh’s Minister for Education, Syed Sardar Ali Shah, and Minister for Prisons, Ali Hassan Zardari, officially inaugurated the program at a special ceremony held at Karachi Central Jail. The event was attended by key officials, including Sindh’s Home Secretary Muhammad Iqbal Memon, School Education Secretary Zahid Ali Abbasi, Inspector General of Prisons Qazi Nazir Ahmed, and representatives from Pegham-e-Pakistan, along with inmates and prison authorities.
In the first phase of the initiative, 100 convicted prisoners were handed official letters granting their children access to educational programs.
“Education is a Right, Not a Privilege” – Syed Sardar Ali Shah
During the event, Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah emphasized the government’s responsibility in ensuring education for all.
“Just as it is the state’s duty to punish criminals, it is also its responsibility to educate their children. Sindh is proud to be the first to take this initiative, setting a global precedent for prisoner rehabilitation through their families’ empowerment,” he said.
The program will facilitate education for prisoners’ children from primary school to higher education by collecting data and enrolling them in schools and universities of their choice. The initiative is expected to benefit around 8,000 to 10,000 children across Sindh.
A New Approach to Prison Reform
Sindh’s Minister for Prisons, Ali Hassan Zardari, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative, stating that families of prisoners often suffer the same hardships as those behind bars due to financial constraints.
“Our goal is to transform prisons into centers of rehabilitation rather than punishment. Supporting prisoners’ children in their education will not only help the families but also play a crucial role in reforming society,” he explained.
A Model for the Future
This pioneering program sets a precedent for other provinces to follow, ensuring that children do not suffer due to their parents’ circumstances. By providing access to education, Sindh is not only uplifting these children but also offering them a brighter and more promising future.
With this initiative, Pakistan takes a significant step towards social justice, proving that education can break chains—both seen and unseen.
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