Provincial minister makes surprise visit to Kot Lakhpat jail

Minister met prisoners from sectarian and militant outfits, says report

Provincial Minister of Punjab for Prisons Zawar Hussain made a surprise visit to Kot Lakhpat Jail early Thursday morning and met prisoners from sectarian and militant outfits, said a report submitted to the provincial home department.



The report said that the minister visited the prison at around 3:15am and also unlocked high-security cells which house terrorists under trial by military courts, a violation Pakistan Prison Rules 1978.

The report to Punjab Home Department was submitted by the superintendent of the prison after the minister's visit as it violated security protocol

 



Superintendent Ijaz Gul Asghar further stated in his report that Hussain also prohibited any police or jail official to enter the high-security cells during his visit.

Asghar added that the minister and those accompanying him also took the keys from a prison official, which constitutes a breach of prison rules.

Visiting the prison after visitation hours is a violation of Rule 992 of Pakistan Prison Rules, and visiting an inmate unaccompanied by prison officials is a violation of Rule 924.