Donations to pay the fine for the poor prisoners who have already completed their sentence is tantamount to release a slave and in this connection the spirit of local philanthropists is highly appreciable, said Chaudhary Ali Akbar Superintendent District Jail Faisalabad.

He was addressing a function in the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) in which Caption Farooq (retd) of All Pakistan Bed Sheets and Upholstery Manufacturers Association handed over a huge amount for the release of prisoners who have already completed their sentence but were rusting in the jail only due to the non-payment of fine.

Jail Superintendent told that it is a routine practice that every year huge donations are collected to pay fine of the inmates so that they could spend their "Eid" with their families. Appreciating the gesture of goodwill for the poor and hard pressed prisoners, he told that most of the people pay heavy donations without even giving their identity.

"Similarly many of them also broker peace and truce in murder cases," he said and added that it actually pave way for a durable peace in the area. Jail superintend said that poor persons are sometimes forced to commit petty crimes and later they have to undergo prison.

In most of such cases, they complete their sentence, but could not have enough money to pay their fines which become a major hurdle in their release even after completing their required sentence.

Chaudhary Ali Akbar told that many welfare projects have also been initiated in jail for the facilitation of the inmates with the financial help of local philanthropists. He also thanked the business community in general and members of the FCCI in particular for its active participation in these welfare activities.

Rana Sikandar-e-Azam Khan President FCCI also acknowledged the contribution of FCCI members in welfare projects and told that they have been playing a lead role in natural calamities. He also appreciated the sacrifices of Captain Farooq and told that every year before Eid, he donates a heavy amount to pay the fine of prisoners and enabling them to spend their Eid with their loved ones.