A Milestone Meeting between INL and PP&PS: Forging International Collaborations to Strengthen Criminal Justice System

On September 11, 2024, a strategic meeting was convened at the Civil Secretariat with the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau (INL) delegation from the US Embassy, led by Mr. Garhett Mecham, Program Officer. The session was chaired by Mr. Noor-ul-Ameen Mengal, Secretary (Home), and attended by senior officials, including Mr. Fazal-ur-Rehman, Special Secretary Home, Mr. Asim Raza, Additional Secretary Prisons, Mr. Muhammad Shahid Iqbal, Director General, Punjab Probation and Parole Service (PP&PS), and academics from prominent universities like Mr. Hussain Haider from LUMS, Dr. Amina Muazzam from Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), and Dr. Salma Hasan from Government College University, Lahore.

DG Muhammad Shahid Iqbal outlined future initiatives aimed at elevating the province's probation and parole system, presenting three key projects for funding consideration:

1. International Conference: A global forum to discuss advancements and best practices in probation and parole systems.
2. International Training Programs: Training officers on international standards for offender rehabilitation.
3. Skill Development Initiative for Probationers: A comprehensive program designed to equip probationers with vocational skills for better reintegration into society.

“These initiatives reflect our commitment to modernizing non-custodial measures and enhancing rehabilitation frameworks in Punjab,” Mr. Iqbal emphasized during his presentation.

Mr. Garhett Mecham appreciated these forward-thinking endeavors and expressed the INL’s interest in supporting them, pending approval from the US Congress. He remarked, “We are keen to assist Pakistan in advancing its criminal justice system through these critical reforms, focusing on rehabilitation, skill-building, and reducing recidivism.”

Home Secretary, Mr. Noor-ul-Ameen Mengal lauded the collaboration with INL and the focus on sustainable rehabilitation practices, stating, “These partnerships are pivotal to achieving our long-term goals of offender reform and public safety. Through collaborative efforts with international partners, we aim to create a robust, rehabilitative system for offenders in Punjab.”

This productive engagement marks a significant step toward implementing advanced measures in Punjab’s probation and parole system, potentially ushering in comprehensive reforms that will benefit both offenders and society at large. The projects discussed are poised to elevate the province’s capabilities in offender management, contingent upon future approval from US authorities.