
PESHAWAR: The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur has announced a two-month reduction in the sentences of prisoners on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr 2025.
According to a notification issued by the provincial home department, the moratorium does not apply to those convicted of terrorism, murder, kidnapping or other serious crimes. The reduction in sentences applies only to prisoners convicted of minor crimes.
The news comes at a time when Pakistan is preparing to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr at the end of Ramadan on March 30 or 31, upon sighting of the moon.
Earlier on Friday, President Asif Ali Zardari approved a special reduction of 180 days in the sentences of prisoners on the occasion of Pakistan Day and Eid-ul-Fitr 2025 under Article 45 of the Constitution.
According to the details, the 90-day special amnesty is for all convicts except those convicted of murder, espionage, robbery, dacoity, kidnapping, anti-state activities, rape and terrorist acts.
Those convicted of financial crimes, causing damage to the national exchequer or under the Foreigners Act 1946 and the Narcotics Control Act 2022 will also be excluded from this benefit.
The reduction in sentence will be applicable to male prisoners above the age of 65 and female prisoners above the age of 60 who have completed at least one-third of their sentence.
Women imprisoned with their children and juvenile offenders below the age of 18 who have completed one-third of their sentence will also be eligible for relief.