Posted By Ahsan Sheikh

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - On Friday, November 13, 2009, the sun came up with new hopes in the lives of 59 Christians in Pakistan after the Pakistani-based Christian organization, “Life for All,” had made a determined effort to give these people their lives back.

Left to right: Mr. Rizwan Paul, Mr. Samuel Victor and Mr. Pervaiz, a police officer. Mr. Samuel is a social activist and is the Coordinator of 'Pakistan Christian Youth Forum' from Lahore. He was arrested 2 years ago on the charges of the Blasphemy law 295/B and was still under trial when the President of Pakistan pardoned and released him

The imprisoned Christians, who have been in various jails in Pakistan, got the welcome news of their freedom after hard work made by Mr. Rizwan Paul, President of “Life for All,” who had presented a petition to Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, President of Pakistan, for the pardon of these Christians who he stated had been “falsely accused of minor crimes.”

The President reviewed the petition and approved the release of the prisoners who had been accused of minor crimes, and he vowed to review the release of other prisoners after reviewing the nature of their crimes.

The prisoners that were freed had been incarcerated in Adyala Jail, Rawalpindi; Kot Lakhpat Jail, Lahore; Sialkot Jail, Sialkot; as well as Peshawar Jail and the Karachi Jail.

Now they are free, and can breathe and move freely.

Relatives awaiting the release of prisoners

Extremely emotional scenes were seen outside the jails when the prisoners were released. Family members were present to greet their loved ones and they thanked “Life for All” for their efforts.

Representatives from “Life for All” were present at the respective jails to receive the released. They took the record of the released and then handed over them over to their families.

However, there are still more than 2,500 Christians in jails all over Pakistan who cannot afford the legal assistance for their release. There are many church-based and Christian/Muslim civil society organizations who claim to provide legal aid assistance to Christians and other poor people, but the truth is that the poor in Pakistan are implicated in false cases and end up in jail for years.

“Life for All” did not get any local / foreign aid for the release of these Christians.

Rizwan stressed that the Christian organizations “need to work together for the development of the community” in Pakistan.

Posted By Iqra Asif

LAHORE: The security in jails across the province has been strengthened besides round-the-clock patrolling by armed contingents, Punjab Prisons Inspector General (IG) Kokab Nadeem Warriach said on Monday.

He said on the special directive of the Punjab chief minister foolproof security arrangements had been made in all the jails and special contingents equipped with sophisticated weapons had been deployed.

The Prisons IG said metal detectors, screening machines and closed-circuit TV (CCTV) cameras had been installed in all the jails to check the entry of unauthorised items. He said all the regional deputy inspectors general (DIGs) had been directed to ensure stern compliance with the directive.

He said all the superintendents of jails had also been directed to submit their security inspection report daily to their respective DIG or IG.

He said according to the new security plan, no visitor would be allowed to enter the jail premises without the original identity card. He said the record of all visitors would be maintained daily and there would no meeting after the schedule time.

Warriach said all deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) and the assistant superintendents of police (ASPs) would visit their respective jails daily to maintain discipline. app