Lahore: Pakistani authorities in the most populous province of Punjab have launched a programme to "deradicalise" members of banned religious and extremist groups, officials said on Tuesday.
The government of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif launched the rehabilitation programme to help one-time militants and extremists lead a normal life.
"Some 200 to 300 militants being held in different jails of Punjab province have so far undergone the deradicalisation and rehabilitation sessions. And we are getting a positive result," a Punjab government spokesman told a news agency.
Under the scheme, imprisoned militants up to 40 years of age have to participate in extensive sessions conducted by religious scholars and psychologists.
They are trained by the government`s Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) so that they can earn a livelihood honourably after getting freedom.
The spokesman said those who were fully rehabilitated were engaged in training for a future programme so that they could become role models for other militants.
PTI
