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LAHORE, Dec 24 (APP): A grand ceremony was held at the Directorate General Office of the Punjab Probation and Parole Service on Wednesday to mark Christmas and Quaid-e-Azam Day. Provincial Health Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, Khawaja Salman Rafique, attended the event as the chief guest.
The ceremony also formally welcomed 22 newly inducted officers into the Punjab Probation and Parole Service.
Addressing the gathering, Khawaja Salman Rafique said that the white colour in Pakistan’s national flag represents minorities and reflects the country’s commitment to protecting their rights.
He extended heartfelt Christmas greetings to the Christian community and congratulated the Directorate General of Probation and Parole for organizing a graceful and meaningful ceremony on the two important occasions. He expressed best wishes for the bright future of the newly recruited parole officers, acknowledging the exemplary role played by probation officers in the reformation and rehabilitation of offenders. He said that parole officers are entrusted with the responsibility of guiding and caring for individuals released on parole, adding that the spirit of social reform carried by this service is of great value. He further stated that, on the instructions of the Chief Minister of Punjab, comprehensive security arrangements have been made across the province for Christmas and Quaid-e-Azam Day.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Home Punjab Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi paid rich tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on December 25. He remarked that not everyone in life is fortunate enough to receive a second chance, and probation provides such an opportunity. He emphasized that the eradication of crime and rehabilitation of offenders require a strong missionary spirit and collective effort.
Inspector General of Prisons Mian Farooq Nazir said that he himself had served in the Probation and Parole Service and credited the Secretary Home and the Director General for taking the department to new heights.
Director General Probation and Parole Shahid Iqbal informed the participants that an artificial intelligence-based system has been developed for the training of Probation and Parole Service officers. On the occasion, the Provincial Health Minister, along with the Home Secretary, also inaugurated the newly established conference hall at the Probation and Parole Headquarters.
The ceremony was attended by Secretary Punjab Home Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi, Special Secretary Fazalur Rehman, IG Prisons Mian Farooq Nazir, Additional Secretary Prisons Roman Borana, former DG Shireen Naz, probation and parole officers from Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh, Father William Basharat, representatives of the Christian community and church, as well as officers of the Punjab Probation and Parole Service.