Cash, phone chargers seized from inmates

A British-Pakistani inmate sent photos to his father of wounds he sustained in a scuffle between two groups in Adiala Jail hospital, which resulted in an inquiry into jail protocols as the recipient forwarded the pictures to high government officials.

A search operation led by Rawalpindi Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police (Prisons) Malik Shaukat Feroze, Faisalabad DIG Saeedullah Gondal and Sahiwal DIG Jail Muhammad Kamran was conducted along with 150 personnel during which a number of prohibited items and gadgets were recovered, a police spokesperson said on Sunday.

Sources told The Express Tribune that a few days ago, two influential inmates, namely Dr Irfan and Abdul Kareem, charged with committing a murder in England, are staying in the jail hospital for over a year.

They engaged in a fight in which other inmates identified as Raja Shahid, Asad, Raja Raid and others were also involved. The jail staff intervened and ended the scuffle, however, another British-Pakistani inmate, Kareem, acquired a cell phone and sent the photos of his wounds to his father.

It has been learnt that a high-level committee, comprising DIG Prisons, DIG Gondal, and DIG Kamran has been formed by the Punjab Jail Inspector General (IG) Shahid Saleem Baig to probe into the incident.

The committee made a surprise visit to Adyala Jail and carried out a search operation and recovered Rs60,000 along with prohibited items from their possession. The personnel also recovered mobile chargers from the inmates while a probe as to how they reached them is also under way.

Upon contact, a senior official of Adyala Jail told The Express Tribune that a comprehensive search operation was under way in the prison on directions of the Punjab government. He added that the inmates involved in illegal activities would face strict disciplinary action.

Notably, the chief overseer and senior wardens were suspended over assistance for movement of inmates between barracks for gambling.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2021.