Nazeer said the pilot launched at Camp Jail had been successful in developing a database. STOCK IMAGE
Lawmakers in the Sindh Assembly raised the issue of the poor condition of Sindh prisons during the session on Thursday.
“You have shown Rs30 million in expenses over prisoners but I want to know where you have spent this huge amount,” said Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MPA Saifuddin Khalid, during question-answer session of the prisons department. “There is discrimination among prisoners inside the jails,” he pointed out. “Activists of opposition parties are being victimised and the jails have become torture cells for opponents.”
During the debate on this issue, many members questioned the supply of contaminated food and water in the jail. In response, parliamentary affairs minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro pointed out how much government spending on prisons has increased. “There was a Rs20 allowance per prisoner till 2008. We have increased the daily expenditure to Rs140,” he said.
Manzoor Wasan who has also served as prisons minister, added that the daily allowance used to be Rs4 in 1978. “At that time, one kg of meat was provided for the prisoners but now the incumbent government has revised the menu, including three days of chicken and two days of beef,” he claimed, adding that the inmates are served daal and vegetables for the remaining meals.
The opposition members also questioned the rampant corruption in the jails and criticised the system used to transport the inmates from jails to courts. “The prisoners are forced to commit suicide inside the jails because of torture and lack of facilities,” said MQM’s Rana Ansar.
Khuhro quashed her claims by saying the present government has brought about reforms in the jails system by expanding barracks, inducting new vehicles and starting vocational trainings for inmates. “We have 85 vehicles to shift prisoners from jails to courts,” he said.
VVIP security
MQM MPA Deewan Chand Chawal, who belongs to Sukkur, brought up the security threats he has been facing. “I need only one cop for my security,” he requested, adding that he has no car, so he will travel with the policeman on his motorcycle.
Chawal was upset when deputy speaker Shehla Raza did not allow him to speak, arguing that he was interfering in routine business. He continued, nevertheless. “A police van, deputed for the family of a politician in Sukkur, is used to buy groceries for the family,” Chawal pointed out. “What is wrong if you give me one policeman to save my life?”
Despite his request, the deputy speaker did not allow him to talk and his microphone was switched off.
Winter vacation
Opposition leader Khawaja Izharul Hassan demanded an extension in winter vacations given the cold wave in the city. “The met office has predicted more cold weather in the coming week,” said Hassan, during the point of order. “I request the education minister to consider this option.”
Education Minister Jam Mahtab Dahar disagreed. “Winter is over now. There is no logic for more vacations,” he said, adding that students living in sub-zero temperature in the northern parts of the country also go to schools.
The issue of dilapidated roads of Karachi was also discussed. Local government minister Jam Khan Shoro briefed about government plan and ongoing schemes in Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Tariq Road.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2017.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ