LAHORE - As part of the Punjab Chief Minister’s Jail Reforms Programme, the province-wide volleyball tournament for inmates concluded with great success. The final match was held at Central Jail Lahore on Sunday, where Rawalpindi Region emerged victorious by defeating Lahore Region in an exciting contest. Chairperson of the CM’s Task Force Rana Manan Khan attended the final as the chief guest. The event was also graced by Inspector General of Prisons Mian Farooq Nazir, DIG Headquarters Mian Salik Jalal, and DIG Lahore Region Naveed Rauf. Rawalpindi Region’s Aqeel was declared Player of the Tournament, while Wajid Hussain was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance in the final. Sahiwal Region secured third place in the tournament, which featured participation from inmates across all jails in Punjab. The winners and top performers were awarded trophies and cash prizes in recognition of their efforts. The shooting volleyball tournament, conducted in two phases from April 18 to May 17, featured both intra-regional and inter-regional matches. According to the spokesperson of the Punjab Home Department, the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to the principle of “Hate the crime, not the criminal.” The aim is to create a positive and rehabilitative environment for inmates through constructive activities. Following the success of the volleyball tournament, the department will now organize vocational competitions among skilled prisoners. The spokesperson further added that these efforts are designed to provide inmates with opportunities to engage in healthy activities, helping them reintegrate into normal life upon release. “By participating in sports and learning trades within jail industries, inmates are not only developing their skills but also moving towards a more productive and rehabilitated life,” the spokesperson remarked. The volleyball tournament was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, intra-regional competitions were held, followed by inter-regional matches between the winning teams of each region.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy under the CM Punjab Jail Reforms Programme to promote rehabilitation through sports, skill development, and positive engagement.