16 Punjab Probation, Parole Officers Complete Specialised Training In US
LAHORE, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 8th Sep, 2026) Sixteen senior officers of the Punjab Probation and Parole Service (PP&PS) have successfully completed a specialised Training of Trainers (ToT) programme in the United States. The initiative aimed at modernising Punjab’s probation and parole system and promoting the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.
The training was held in the US state of Virginia, in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC), with support from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the US Department of State.
Upon returning to Punjab, the PP&PS delegation, led by Director General Muhammad Shahid Iqbal, met with Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi. They shared insights from the training and proposed reforms for implementation within the province.
Dr Qazi congratulated the officers on their achievement, highlighting that Punjab’s probation and parole system was aligning with international standards.
The training focused on the philosophy of “Rehabilitate, Reform and Reintegrate” and exposed officers to evidence-based approaches in probation and parole supervision. They learned about electronic monitoring, GPS-based supervision, and technology-driven offender management systems, with a special focus on managing high-risk offenders and gang-affiliated individuals.
Each participating officer developed an individual action plan outlining reforms for implementation in Punjab.
Dr Qazi directed the designated Master Trainers to create training presentations and modules, sharing their knowledge with other officers across the province. He also assigned supervisory roles to US-trained officers in various districts, ensuring a wider impact from their experience.
The leadership of the Virginia Department of Corrections acknowledged Punjab’s reform-oriented model of offender rehabilitation during the programme, according to a spokesperson for the Home Department.
Attending the meeting were Home Special Secretary Zainab Khan, Probation and Parole Director General Muhammad Shahid Iqbal, Chief Coordination Officer Ghulam Sagheer Shahid, Prisons Additional Secretary Roman Borana, and Dr Ali Madeeh Hashmi. Inspector General Prisons Mian Salik Jalal and AIG Judicial Dr Qadeer Alam also participated online.
