Arain said he was surprised to learn that ‘special meetings’ (visits in a special room instead of behind bars) were possible if one paid suitable bribes. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Provincial Minister for Prisons Chaudhry Abdul Waheed Arain said on Friday he was now an eye-witness to rampant corruption in the department and warned that the situation was not acceptable.
The minister said he had visited the Camp Jail disguised as an ordinary citizen. He said he had told the guards at the jail that he wanted to meet a prisoner. The guards asked him for his ID card, but then allowed him in without seeing it after he paid Rs700.
After entering the jail, he roamed around and interacted with families of several prisoners. They told him about several difficulties they faced in meeting with prisoners.
Arain said he was surprised to learn that ‘special meetings’ (visits in a special room instead of behind bars) were possible if one paid suitable bribes.
Arain said he was stopped at every point between the gate and the barracks and asked for bribes. The total amount Arain paid to jail officials was Rs1,300, The Express Tribune learnt.
“I reached Camp Jail at 11:45am,” said Arain, “I was shocked at the behaviour of prison guards.
They asked for bribes at every step of the way and let me enter without even seeing my ID card.”
He said he had been allowed to take his mobile phone inside as well.
“I am warning all prison officials that I will not tolerate such behaviour in the Prison Department,” he said, “I will make surprise visits across the province to end corruption in the department.”
Arain said that when he was leaving the prison, he was again asked to pay a bribe. When jail officials learnt about his identity, they apologised for their behaviour.
Arain suspended several officials from their jobs.
He also called the Prisons IG, the DIG and the jail superintendent to his office for a talk.
“We have suspended Assistant Superintendent Kashif Rasool, Head Warden Lateef Shah, Wardens Sajid Hussain and Ranjha Khan,” Prisons Inspector General Mian Farooq told The Express Tribune, “A committee headed by DIG Malik Mubashir has been formed to investigate the matter.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2013.
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I commend your initiative, Sir. Now that you have witnessed and experienced this first-hand, I hope justice will be served!
This is not even the tip of iceberg , the corruption is institutionalized in our civil service structure so nothing to cry about until we dont set this structure right.
Bravo! Waheed Sahab. If few more officers show this commitment and honesty to their given jobs, Pakistan will move "double speed" toward an ideal wellfare state. I also like to express my belief here:
The commitment one shows for a higher standard will someday save his own discendant's life, honor and/or property. "A good deed never goes in vain". It should be practiced & encouraged as a part of daily life routines. All Power to an Honest officer!