Security increased in Lahore, Mach and Quetta prisons amid fears of jailbreaks

14 convicts on death row in Kot Lakhpat jail, 4 of whom are expected to be hanged soon


Shezad Baloch/Hassan Naqvi December 20, 2014

QUETTA/ LAHORE: Security was increased at Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore as well as prisons in Balochistan's Mach and Quetta on Saturday amid fears of a jailbreak following the premier’s decision to lift the ban on death penalties in terrorism cases.

Heavy contingents of Punjab Rangers officials and Punjab Police were deployed at the Kot Lakhpat jail as law enforcement agencies placed barricades and barbed wires on roads leading to the jail.

Pedestrians and visitors were only allowed to enter the jail after proper checking by the quick response force and other officials of law enforcement agencies.

The quick response force has also been deployed at the central jail and were patrolling the area on a regular basis throughout the day.

According to sources in the jail, four high-profile terrorists are expected to be hanged anytime after the jail administration receives death warrants from the court.

Convict Muhammad Zahid, who was involved in an attack on a sensitive building in Multan could be hanged anytime today, sources added.

A doctor has been called to the jail, who will issue a medical certificate for Zahid to be hanged.

The jail administration has also finalised arrangements for the three other terrorists, Nadeem, Azeem and Kamran, who had been sentenced to death by the courts.

Mach, Quetta jails

Heavy contingents of police and paramilitary troops were deployed on Saturday at Mach and Quetta district jails in a move to increase security around prisons.

At least 14 prisoners in the Mach Jail of Balochistan, one of the largest jails in Pakistan, are on death row.

The prisoners on death row do not belong to any banned organisation but four of them were charged with terrorism acts, such as targeted killings and murder charges over personal disputes.

“Jammers were already installed while the cover areas have been increased,” Asif Butt, Superintendent of Quetta District Jail, said. However, there are no prisoners in this particular jail on death row.

Butt said Frontier Corps (FC), police and Balochistan Constabulary personnel have increased patrolling in and around the jail.

Security forces also carried out a search operation inside the jail.

COMMENTS (6)

Blithe | 9 years ago | Reply

Stop making the pre-announcements; announce it ex post facto. We would like to know post facto about the names that have been hung. But telling us beforehand compromises security – media should be responsible

Truth Detector | 9 years ago | Reply

@Ch. Allah Daad, I agree with you for once.

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