LAHORE, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 3rd Sep, 2026) Punjab Probation and Parole Service, Home Department, has concluded its summer internship programme aimed at familiarising university students with the criminal justice, community corrections and rehabilitation systems.
The concluding session was held at the Home Department and was chaired by Special Secretary Home Zainab Khan. Inspector General of Prisons Mian Salik Jalal, Probation and Parole Director General Shahid Iqbal, Additional Secretary Prisons Rooman Burana, Director Probation and Parole Irfan Hameed and other officials attended the session.
Thirty students from seven universities participated in the programme. They represented the Government College University Lahore, University of the Punjab, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Beaconhouse National University, Kinnaird College University and Forman Christian College University.
The interns, who were studying psychology, sociology, social work, criminology, law and gender studies, were given practical exposure to the probation and parole system, prison reforms, community corrections and rehabilitation of offenders.
As part of the programme, the students visited the Punjab Assembly, Home Department, courts, Prisons Department, Punjab Forensic Science Authority, Rescue 1122, Punjab Safe Cities Authority, Prosecution Department and Civil Services academy.
Speaking on the occasion, Special Secretary Home Zainab Khan said the probation and parole service was helping reduce the burden on prisons through accountability and rehabilitation.
She said the internship programme demonstrated the department’s commitment to preparing professionals equipped with practical knowledge of the criminal justice system.
She said the “Naya Aaghaz Programme”, launched under the vision of chief minister Punjab, provided interest-free loans of up to Rs200,000 to deserving prisoners after their release. The beneficiaries, she added, were using the loans to establish small businesses based on skills acquired during their imprisonment.
Inspector General of Prisons Mian Salik Jalal said steps were being taken to transform prisons into rehabilitation centres. Under the Skilled Prisoners Programme, inmates were being provided technical training in 23 industries, he said.
He added that more than 65,000 people had so far benefited from the Mulaqat App, which facilitated prisoners and their families in arranging prison visits.
Probation and Parole DG Shahid Iqbal said the probation and parole department was currently providing rehabilitative training to around 40,000 probationers.
The participating teachers appreciated the initiative, while the interns presented recommendations for improving the probation and parole system.
Certificates were distributed among students who showed outstanding performance during the internship programme.
