Corruption, drugs plague Punjab jails
The supply of drugs to inmates by government employees posted in Punjab’s jails has come to light. A case was registered against a government employee for allegedly supplying narcotics and three others who reportedly took bribes from the relatives of prisoners to arrange a meeting.
The aforementioned officials were dismissed from their posts.
A case of drug supplying was registered against a government official with Shadman police station. The case alleges that Muhammad Aslam, an electrician with the building department, was posted to Camp Jail and reportedly supplied drugs to prisoners in different barracks under the pretext of performing maintenance work.
Aslam was searched upon suspicion earlier this week and a quantity of ice was recovered from his person, hidden inside a tester. A case was registered against electrician Aslam with Shadman police station on the statement of Assistant Superintendent Jail Jawad Shah. On the other hand, three jail wardens involved in corruption were also dismissed from their jobs. The accused wardens would allegedly take bribes to arrange meetings between prisoners and their families.
Head Warden Muhammad Akram, Warder Adeel and Bilal were all found guilty in the inquiry, upon which they have been sacked.
Talking to The Express Tribune, the relatives of several inmates said that accepting bribes for meeting inmates is a normal occurrence. If a bribe is not given, officials cancel the meeting or provide less time. From the gate of the prison to the end, every officer posted takes their share of bribe, they added. A separate rate is fixed for VVIP meetings, while a separate rate is fixed for general meetings. Sources also revealed that inmates in jails receive huge gifts from influential personalities for VVIP meetings.
Citizens alleged that along with the corruption, the behavior of the officials is repugnant. Multiple complaints have been made regarding the behavior and corruption of officials, but no notice is taken. If bribes are given, all facilities are provided to prisoners and if there is no money, even basic facilities are withheld.
IG Prisons Punjab Mian Farooq Nazir said immediate action has been taken regarding corruption and other complaints and reassured that immediate action is taken.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2023.