KARACHI: It was `a dream come true` for inmates as they donned graduation gowns at the convocation ceremony held at the Central Prison Karachi to receive certificates after completion of various courses.

On Thursday, the Central PrisonKarachiin collaboration with the Alkhidmat Foundation (AKF) organised a convocation ceremony for the inmates. On the occasion, certificates were awarded to 248 inmates, including under-trial and convicted prisoners, who have completed courses in graphic design, computer and information technology (CIT) and foreign languages such as English and Chinese.

Sindh Minister for Prisons Ali Hassan Zardari, who was chief guest on the occasion, presented shields and certifi-cates to the top 12 position holders in their respective courses. They also received a cash prize of Rs25,000 each.

Certificates were also distributed among the inmate teachers as a token ofappreciation.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Zardari praised the prison administration for organising the event, stating:`I am not your ruler, but your helper.` He emphasised unity within the prison system, saying: `From an inmate to the IG prison, we are one family. We need to collaborate to improve society.

In reply to media queries, the minister announced plans to replicate such programmes in other prisons of Sindh.Addressing the issue of overcrowding in Sindh`s prisons, he mentioned the revival of the currently abandoned Thatta prison within six months and the commencement of extension work at Malir prison by December. He also said efforts were being made to shift prisons to solar power.

Answering a question aboutthe mobile signal blockade around the Central Prison due to security threats, he said that security threats still persisted.

`A dream come true` Muhammad Nauman, a position holder, scored 98pc marks inthe Chineselanguagecourse despite being an under-trial inmate and also completed a CIT course. He hopes these skills will lead to better job opportunities after his release.

Another inmate, Yousuf, sentenced to life in prison, obtained four diplomas during his incarceration. He expressed his joy at wearing a graduation gown for the first time, calling it `a dream come true`.

CIT teacher Farman Ali, who is on death row, shared his happiness at his students` success, saying: `I am most delighted that the students I trained have excelled.` He expressed his desire to establish an IT centre in Mardan.

In addition, Senior Jail Superintendent Abdul Kareem Abbasi said that Karachi Central Jail not only held the distinction of being the Pakistan`s largest prison but also led in providing technicaland vocational training to inmates, aimed at facilitating their reintegration into society after release.

AKF Karachi CEO Naveed Ali Baig announced plans to establish a new skill development centre and vocational institute in the prison to equip inmates with technical and vocational skills. Meanwhile, Qazi Sadaruddin, director of the community services at AKF told Dawn: `We have established an IT institute in Central Prison where short courses in different foreign languages are also offered to inmates.

He further stated that AKF had established the IT institute in 2001 and over time short courses in different languages and graphic design were also introduced. He added that such an event had never taken place in any prison in Pakistan before.

Those attending the event included Sindh Prisons Inspector General Kazi Nazir Ahmed, Deputy IG Prison M.

Hassan Sahito and Additional Superintendent Imtiaz Ali Soomro while senior officials from the jail administration and AKF also attended the event.