Sindh’s correctional facilities are grappling with a severe overcrowding crisis, housing approximately 12,400 inmates beyond their official capacity, a situation that has prompted prison authorities to seek an urgent partnership with the industrial sector to transform jails into centers for rehabilitation and workforce development.
According to information today, Inspector General of Prisons Sindh, Fida Hussain Mastoi, revealed the staggering figure of 28,000 inmates during a visit to the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI). He stressed that the success of departmental reform initiatives hinges on active cooperation from the business community to reintegrate offenders into society.
Mastoi argued that prisons must evolve from being mere centers of punishment to playing a meaningful role in rehabilitation. He pointed out that the lack of social acceptance and employment opportunities upon release is a key factor that pushes former convicts back into criminal activities, making inmate rehabilitation crucial for reducing repeat offences.
To address this, the IG Prisons proposed the formation of a dedicated task force, supervised by a DIG and comprising representatives from KATI and industrial experts. The body would be responsible for installing modern machinery inside jails, imparting market-relevant skills, and facilitating industrial work orders for prisoners.
‘If industries provide work orders-such as from textile mills, factories or other enterprises-prisoners can function as an organized workforce while serving their sentences,’ Mastoi stated. ‘After release, these trained individuals can be absorbed into the same industries, enabling them to earn a dignified livelihood.’
KATI President Muhammad Ikram Rajput affirmed the full support of the industrial community for the proposal. He underscored the importance of mental, moral, and social rehabilitation, calling for the establishment of basic education, adult literacy, and vocational training centers within prison walls. He suggested that skills like tailoring, carpentry, electrical work, and computer training could make inmates self-reliant post-release.
While welcoming the initiative, KATI’s Deputy Patron-in-Chief Zubair Chhaya introduced a note of caution, emphasizing the need for a long-term, sustainable framework. He observed that similar projects have often stalled with changes in leadership and that strong government backing is essential for the proposed task force”s continuity and effectiveness.
Danish Khan, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Law and Order, noted that the business community has consistently supported rehabilitation efforts, including voluntarily helping secure bail for inmates incarcerated for minor offences due to financial hardship.
The discussion also included a proposal to collaborate with NGOs and vocational institutions to further diversify skills training and expand employment opportunities for inmates upon their release. The meeting was attended by senior officials including DIG Prisons Karachi Muhammad Aslam Malik, SSP Central Jail Karachi Ghulam Murtaza Sheikh, and SP District Jail Malir Karachi Faheem Anwar Memon.