RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Chairman Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) Irfan Qaiser Sheikh has said that TEVTA will extend its courses for prisoners from 15 jails to 25 jails.

Minister Prisons Ahmad Yar Hanjra and IG Jails Farooq Nazir called upon Chairman TEVTA Irfan Qaiser Sheikh here on Thursday at Secretariat. Chairman TEVTA said that TEVTA is already providing training in 10 different trades at 15 jails across the Punjab. It has been decided that these courses will be provided at 10 more jails which will enhance the number of jails upto 25, he told.

Irfan Qaiser Sheikh further said that in one year TEVTA provided training to 8,000 prisoners whereas after enhancing the capacity now 15,000 prisoners will be trained. Irfan went on saying that developed countries trained their prisoners so that they could live as respectable citizens after getting free from jails.

Chairman also observed that Chief Minister Punjab’s vision is that prisoners in Punjab jails would get respectable earning for his family as well play his role in the development of society after they get free from jails.

He went on saying that now market needed courses will be started as courses related to sports industry will be started at Sialkot, textile at Faisalabad, cutlery at Gujrat and different trades at Lahore jails. He also informed that meeting also decided that prisoners would also prepare products in these trades and those will be sold.

IG Jails Farooq Nazir said that skilled person never remain unemployed. He said that TEVTA and Prison Department is working to make prisoners respectable citizens of the society.