Rs700m more proposed for Rs3b model prison

Allocation of Rs200m proposed for model police stations

ISLAMABAD: For the construction of model prison in Islamabad Rs700 million more have been proposed in Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the fiscal year 2018-19.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in July 2016 had approved construction of the jail at Sector H-16 with an estimated cost of Rs3.928 billion. Expenditure on it up to June 30, 2017 stood at Rs1 billion. The throw forward (remaining requirement) as on July 1st, 2017 stood at Rs2.928 billion.

Minister for Interior, Ahsan Iqbal on February 22 this year performed the groundbreaking  ceremony of model jail at Sector H-16 which is aiming to act as a correction centre for the prisoners.

Objectives of this model prison include helping character building of the convicts to ensure that after completing their terms, the prisoners should not indulge in criminal activities again.

Moreover, allocation of Rs200 million have been proposed for model police stations in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) under Police Reforms Project, Phase-II. This project has not yet been approved and it has the estimated cost of 1 billion.

In the PSDP document, an allocation of Rs1 billion has been proposed for the establishment of Anti-Riot Force in ICT consisting of 2,388 officers and men and construction of their accommodations. This project having price tag of Rs8.278 billion has yet to be approved.

The ICT Anti-Riot Force project is the brainchild of Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal which was conceived right after the prolonged sit-in at Faizabad Interchange Islamabad by a religious group in November last year.

The force in question would be established to ensure permanent safety and security of the federal capital against unruly protestors.

Moreover, Rs55 million have also been proposed for upgrading security measures at National Police Academy (NPA) at Sector H-11 Islamabad. The project in question was approved by Department Development Working Party (DDWP) on March 3, 2016.

Under ongoing scheme’s head for the construction of five police barracks for 100 men each near K Block Islamabad, an amount of Rs256.33 million has been proposed in PSDP. The estimated cost of the project was Rs375 million and the project in question was approved by Department Development Working Party (DDWP) on March 19, 2018.

Also under ongoing schemes, an allocation Rs59.86 million has been proposed for the construction of four police stations in sectors G-11 Markaz, I-11 Markaz, D-12 and Shehzad Town Islamabad. The project estimated cost is Rs150.83 million. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2018.