Punjab Assembly Passes Resolution for Equal Religious Education in Prisons

The Punjab Provincial Assembly in Pakistan recently adopted a resolution advocating for equal access to religious education and sentence remission for minority prisoners. The measure, introduced by lawmaker Raheela Khadim Hussain, seeks to ensure that Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and other minority groups receive the same opportunities for sentence reduction as Muslim inmates who complete religious studies.

Official data presented in the resolution indicates that over 2,500 Muslim prisoners received sentence remissions between 2020 and 2025 through religious education programs. Conversely, the Center for Social Justice reported that no minority prisoners received similar benefits during the 2022–2024 period in Punjab, despite existing legal provisions. While a 2008 amendment to the Pakistan Prison Rules theoretically allows for non-Muslims to earn remissions through the study of their own sacred texts, advocates note that implementation has been inconsistent.

Christian rights activists and prison ministries have welcomed the resolution as a necessary step toward addressing these disparities. Supporters emphasize that while a Bible-based syllabus was approved by the provincial government in 2023, the practical application of these rules remains a significant challenge for minority inmates.