Former Karachi jail superintendent sacked

KARACHI: More than a dozen jail officials including a former superintendent of Karachi Central Prison have either been dismissed or suspended for their involvement in two Lashkar-e- Jhangvi militants' escape.  The militants, Mohammed Ahmed alias Munna and Shaikh Mumtaz alias Fariun, involved in the killings of more than 60 Shia community members and law enforcement personnel, managed to flee from the judicial complex adjacent to the jail in June last year.

According to a notification issued by the services, general administration and coordination department on Wednesday, the jail officials have been sent packing on the recommendation of an inquiry committee, which held them responsible for facilitating the escape of the under-trial prisoners.  Then-superintendent of Karachi Central Jail, Ghulam Murtaza Shaikh, Deputy Superintendent Fahim Ahmed Memon and assistant superintendent Naveed Ahmed have been dismissed from service, while assistant superintendents Abdul Rehman Shaikh and Salik Ayaz Shaikh have been found involved in negligence and given the minor penalty of withholding of annual increments for three years.



Regarding the three key officials including the superintendent, deputy superintendent and assistant superintendent, the notification said, “The government, while holding the view that Ghulam Murtaza Shaikh is guilty of the charges of his involvement in the heinous crime of escaping the militants. The inquiry committee recommended the major penalty of dismissal from service.”

Regarding two other assistant superintendents and lower ranking staff, the notification said, “The government while taking into consideration the report of the inquiry officer and explanation of the accused officials during personal hearings held on March 3 this year, is of the opinion that the said officials are partly guilty of the charge. So, the government, in the exercise of powers, does hereby impose the minor penalty of withholding annual increments for a period of three years."