Talking to media after chairing a high level meeting, he castigated Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Chief Nawaz Sharif for suggesting a unilateral withdrawal of Pakistan Army from Siachen. The icy military post, often dubbed as the world’s highest battleground for its 5700 meters height, has been under the spotlight recently after an avalanche buried nearly 140 soldiers and civilian contractors there.
Malik said Pakistan will not initiate the withdrawal process, however it remained in favour of resolving the issue through negotiations.
The high level meeting reviewed law and order situation and security of prisons in light of a raid on the Bannu central prison on Sunday. The meeting was attended by Secretary Interior, Additional Secretary Interior, Provincial Home Secretaries, IGs, IG Prisons, IG FC and representatives of law enforcement agencies. The meeting decided several measures for enhancing security of prisons and improving performance of the staff.
After Bannu, jails get much needed reforms
Addressing the meeting, Malik said the salaries and perks of prisons staff would be made at par with regular police. Jails would be categorised as 'A', 'B' and 'C' and security cover would be determined as per category of the prison. A high power Jail Reform committee was also been constituted. Secretary Interior will head the committee, home secretaries and respective IGs would be the members of the committee. The committee has been assigned to report within four weeks, he said.
Security scanners would be installed in jails. Call record of prisoners would be maintained. Pakistan Ordinance Factories Wah would be asked to provide weapons to prison police on deferred payments. National Police Academy will provide training facilities to 150 to 200 master trainers of prison police. A quick reaction force would also be established in the vicinity of jails.
They decided that Rangers and or Frontier Constabulary would be deployed at the Adiala jail. Meanwhile, prison service would be declared as essential service. Financial packages would be offered to the jail officials who sacrifice their lives in line of duty.
In a move to minimise court house escapes, all ATA cases would be heard inside prisons.
Malik directed NADRA to conduct survey and scrutinise identity of all prisoners in the country for compilation of personal database of prisoners. He added that a summery would be moved soon to the Prime Minister for providing service cadre to jail officials.
A No-Objection Certificate for installing jammers in prisons was also issued.
Responding to a question, he admitted that Bannu Jail incident was intelligence failure.
Additionally he asked Afghanistan to seal the border with Pakistan.
COMMENTS (10)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
I suggest to send Difa-e-Pakistan leaders and members to defend Pakistan from the Siachen. Assign as first task to Hafiz Saeed and his other militants. Why they disturbed peaceful environment of cities.
I tend to agree with Mr Nawaz Sharif. Saichen is a war of egos and waste of resources and human life.
It is destroying glacier ecosystem and thus future water supply to Pakistan
Nawaz Sharif steps into it once again - doo doo.
Mr Malik should mind his business at which he has been grossly inept, to put it mildly.
““Bannu Jail incident was intelligence failure.” Really? Does Malik expect us to believe what he is spitting out?
Or does this have anything to do with corruption that has permeated the core of PAK society and the utter lack of moral authority that goes in tandem with corruption.
You can’t fix the problems of PAK without first attacking corruption starting with the top politicians, some of whom are known as Mr. 10%.
Not even 1% of this will be done. Rehman Malik and his promises.
Why is the interior minister coomenting on defense and foreign affairs? In fact, after Bannu, why does he still have a job?
Good decision by the Government.
Send RM to Siachen, he deserved to be there.