Govt orders provincial chiefs to boost security at prisons

Senior NACTA official says security alert level raised in various jails across the country. Rangers also deployed

ISLAMABAD: The government on Friday directed all provincial prison chiefs to deploy more police units with the cooperation of other paramilitary forces at all major jails in the country.

A senior official of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) told The Express Tribune that Rangers are also being deployed in jails where high profile prisoners involved in the attack on the Sri Lankan Cricket Team, attack on former military chief Pervez Musharraf’s convoy, the military headquarters in Rawalpindi, Naval Headquarter attack, FC Peshawar Headquarter, All Saints Church attack in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the attack on the Karachi Central jail are being held.

Additionally, the National Crisis Management Cell has warned home departments of all provinces that terrorists could attack some jails to rescue militants who are on death row, the official said.

"Security is on high alert at Kot Lakhpat Jail, Karachi Central Jail, Adiala Jail and FC Central Jail in Peshawar," he added.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar is also chairing a high level meeting to discuss the issue of prisoners on death row under the terrorism act. All home departments’ top officials will brief him on this issue. A report is also expected to be filed on Monday by IGs of all provinces detailing the number of prisoners on death row held in prisons.