Jails in Punjab still lack basic facilities

Despite two commission recommendations nothing has been done to improve the conditions

ISLAMABAD: Almost eight years after a writ petition was filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC), an order has been passed for the second time to implement a commission's recommendations pertaining to the facilitation of prisons in Punjab.

On February 9, the high court re-constituted a commission, headed by former prosecutor general National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Waqas Qadeer Dar, to visit six jails across the province, namely District Sub Jail Shujaabad, District Jail Khanewal, District Jail Lodhran, District Jail Sargodha, High Security Prisons Minawali and District Jail Rajanpur, with the directives to inspect and report on their conditions. The commission found several shortcomings in jail operations including lack of electricity, gas and maintenance.



At the Shujaabad sub-jail, the commission found that there was no gas connection in the premises. It noted that the jail was in working condition but lacked facilities and amnesties for a smoothly run – shortage of medical staff, sanitary workers, cooks and technicians in particular. “During the inspection, it was also observed that the electric light system along with the main wall and jail colony is deficient,” reads the report.

The newly-constructed District Jail Rajanpur,  with a capacity of approximately 1000 prisoners, was found to be “very well managed”. However, shortage of para-medical staff, patrolling vehicle and lack of an X-ray machine was noted. While two schools, for boy and girls respectively, were constructed, there was no teaching staff or furniture available. The team was informed that commencing of school was subject to the approval of the province’s education department.

The construction work at District Jail Lodhran had been halted due to a shortage of funds as non-payment to contractors had led to work being suspended. The project, which started in June 2009, has already run past its completion date i.e. June 2017.



During a visit to the District Khanewal Jail, the commission found that the women and juvenile wards were not built. Construction of inside and outside wall for patrolling, residence of superintendent jail, installations of razor cut wire were among the lacking amenities. The school buildings were completed but teaching staff and furniture were missing.

Maintenance remained an issue at District Jail Sargodha – established in the year 1910. Upon inquiry, it was revealed that tenders worth Rs500, 000 were already floated for its maintenance.

At the High-Security Prison Mianwalli it was observed that the scope of work was more or less completed while additional work was also near completion.

Following the submission of the report, the high court has ordered Punjab government to ensure the recommendations by the commission are followed through.

During the course of hearings, presided by Justice Farrukh Irfan, since the petition was filed in 2010, another commission had visited and submitted recommendations for at least five jails across the province. Following which, the jails were upgraded.