Rs440m spent on Central Jail security upgrade

Afridi announces reforms, pays surprise visit to LRH

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Tuesday announced a series of wide-ranging administrative, welfare and security measures during a packed day in Peshawar, spanning prison reforms, compensation for families of martyrs of the Indian aggression during May War.

He also urged action in public healthcare following a viral video from Lady Reading Hospital.

The chief minister’s engagements included a detailed visit to Central Jail Peshawar, meetings with families of martyrs at the Chief Minister House and a surprise late-night inspection of Lady Reading Hospital. During his visit to Central Jail Peshawar, the chief minister formally inaugurated a modern security system comprising CCTV cameras and advanced equipment, completed at a cost of Rs440 million.

He also inaugurated a rehabilitation centre for drug-addicted inmates and a model interview room, while announcing Rs20 million for improving inmates’ facilities and the solarisation of jails across the province.

Inspecting the medical ward and the e-visit system, Afridi met inmates, listened to their concerns and issued on-the-spot directives for the immediate resolution of various issues.
On the occasion, he announced a special remission of two months in the sentences of inmates in provincial jails and said the provincial government would pay the fines of prisoners who remain incarcerated due to non-payment.

He further directed the establishment of a digital complaint cell for the prompt redressal of inmates’ grievances and sought proposals for setting up a hospital within Central Jail Peshawar. The chief minister ordered the creation of separate special cells for juvenile inmates and women. He also instructed further improvements in family quarters for inmates across the province.

The chief minister directed that letters be sent to other provinces for the transfer of prisoners belonging to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who are currently incarcerated elsewhere, ordered a Darbar/Khuli Kachehri next week to hear inmates’ complaints.

Referring to the Army Public School (APS) tragedy, the chief minister said that “whenever 16 December arrives, the painful memories of this tragic incident are revived across the nation”.

Hospital visit

Later the same night, the chief minister paid a surprise visit to Lady Reading Hospital, following the circulation of a viral video on social media.