Five prisoners were released from custody following the humanitarian intervention of the Federal Ombudsman, Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi, after it was established that they were unable to pay minor fines imposed on them.
According to a press release issued on Thursday, the released prisoners and the jail administration expressed their gratitude to the Federal Ombudsman for facilitating their release through compassionate and lawful means.
The development traces back to 29 December 2025, when a philanthropist from Islamabad, Chaudhry Muhammad Din Shauq, met the Federal Ombudsman and voluntarily donated a cheque worth Rs. 100,000 to assist in securing the release of deserving prisoners who were incarcerated solely due to non-payment of fines.
Acting on the directions of the Federal Ombudsman, the Registrar of the Ombudsman forwarded the donated amount to the Central Jail Rawalpindi, with instructions to utilize the funds for the payment of fines of eligible prisoners and to take necessary steps for their release.
In a letter dated 14 January 2026, the Jail Superintendent conveyed appreciation to the Federal Ombudsman and confirmed that five prisoners were released after payment of fines ranging from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 30,000. The released individuals were identified as Naeem son of Moza, Liaqat son of Raqeeb, Sadaqat son of Wazir, Nawab son of Abdul Ghani, and Zain son of Ikram.
The initiative reflects the Federal Ombudsman’s commitment to humanitarian principles, social justice, and the protection of fundamental rights, particularly for vulnerable individuals affected by financial hardship.
