‘Hunarmand Aseer Program’ Begins: Inmates to Get Modern Skills & Certificates

Vocational Training with Certification Launched for Prisoners in Punjab

MoU Signed Between Prisons Department and Punjab Vocational Training Council

Inmates to Receive Modern Skills Training to Become Productive Citizens

PVTC to Provide Expert Trainers; Certificates to Be Issued After Exams

Lahore, September 11 Ali Imran Chattha 

Chief Minister Punjab’s prison reforms agenda has taken another step forward as the Home Department has launched the “Hunarmand Aseer Program” to equip prisoners with vocational skills and formal certification.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed at the Punjab Home Department between the Prisons Department and the Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC). Chairman PVTC Khalid Masood Chaudhry and DIG Prisons Saliq Jalal signed the agreement. The ceremony was attended by Punjab Home Secretary Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi, IG Prisons Mian Farooq Nazeer, Special Secretary Home Fazal ur Rehman, DIG Kamran Adil, Additional Secretary Judicial, Additional Secretary Prisons, and other senior officials.

Under the MoU, modern vocational training will be provided to inmates across Punjab’s prisons, followed by examinations and official certification. Skills training will include general electrical machinery, mobile phone repairing, tailoring and embroidery, beautician courses, computer applications, auto mechanics, AC mechanics, plumbing, and other trades.

According to a Home Department spokesperson, PVTC will provide qualified instructors in jails. On successful completion of training and examinations, prisoners will be awarded certificates highlighting their skills and abilities rather than their criminal background.

Home Secretary Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi said the initiative will enable inmates to secure dignified employment opportunities after release and support their families. He added that Punjab’s prisons are already running multiple industries in collaboration with the private sector, producing high-quality carpets, furniture, shoes, garments, soap, tiles, utensils, footballs, handicrafts, and other products.

PVTC Chairman Khalid Masood Chaudhry said making prisoners skillful is a mission to which the council is fully committed. He noted that PVTC has already trained over 750,000 individuals in Punjab and this effort will continue.