Damaged in quake: Rs800m approved for rebuilding AJK jails

MUZAFFARABAD:

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has approved Rs800 million for the re-construction of three jails in the mountainous state.

Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Rawalakot jails were severely damaged in the 2005 earthquake.

AJK finance department officials told President Yaqoob Khan that the upgraded Muzzafarabad jail will have a total capacity of 100 prisoners, while Bagh and Rawalakot jails will accommodate 50 prisoners each.

The president was told that 26 kanal has been acquired for the Rawalakot prison from the forest department and the no-objection certificate has been issued for its construction.

AJK chief secretary, inspector-general of police, deputy inspector-general jails and other officials of planning and development and finance departments attended the briefing.

The AJK president also directed the high ups to increase salaries of jail police equal to that of the police.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1^st, 2016.