The workshop commenced with welcome remarks by Mr Muhammad Arshad, Director General, Ministry of Human Rights highlighting ongoing efforts of the Ministry of Human Rights to strengthen human rights governance in Pakistan's prison system through enhanced capacity development and institutional coordination. This was followed by comprehensive presentations by the Ministry of Human Rights. The session emphasized the importance of equipping prison officials with practical knowledge of national and international human rights frameworks and their application in prison management. During the first day, participants engaged in interactive sessions on fundamental human rights concepts and core principles, international human rights instruments/ standards and Pakistan's commitments, the national human rights framework in Pakistan, and gender, women's rights and gender-responsive prison management. Through presentations, group exercises, and practical activities, participants explored the linkages between human rights principles and prison management, while identifying challenges and opportunities for improving rights-based correctional practices. The learned members of academia (Head of Department Social Sciences and Director Programme Islamia University Bahawalpur graced the workshop with their participation and valuable contribution with their thoughts on the significance of human rights in prison management and their collaborations in research related to prisons administration and improvement.

The second day focused on strengthening participants' understanding of the rights of prisoners under the Pakistan Prisons Rules 1978, gender and vulnerable groups in prisons, rehabilitation, vocational training and post-sentence employment opportunities for women prisoners under NAP-BHR, and complaint and accountability mechanisms. Dr. Qadeer Alam, AIG Prisons Department gave a detailed account of evolution, developments, standards and rights of prisoners & prisons staff. In his closing remarks, Mr. Zulfiqar Ali, Director, Ministry of Human Rights, appreciated the active participation and valuable contributions of representatives from prison authorities, academia and civil society. He emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration & activating nexus among stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of Pakistan's human rights commitments in the prison system. Reaffirming the Ministry's commitment to continued capacity-building initiatives, he noted that strengthening institutional knowledge, coordination, and accountability mechanisms remains essential for advancing human rights protections and promoting dignity, rehabilitation, and justice within correctional facilities across Pakistan. The workshop concluded with the distribution of certificates to participants, also with a shared commitment to enhance cooperation among stakeholders and support rights-based prison management.