Up and running: High-security prison inaugurated in Mardan
Khattak lauded the efforts made to provide suitable living arrangements for inmates. PHOTO: ONLINE
The high-security Mardan Central Prison was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pervez Khattak in Mardan on Wednesday after a long hiatus.
“The new jail was constructed on 324 kanals of land at a cost of Rs1,729.19 million,” read a statement issued by the CM’s Secretariat.
“It has the capacity to accommodate 2,200 prisoners. High-security arrangements have been made for 62 prisoners.”
Khattak lauded the efforts made to provide suitable living arrangements for inmates.
“However, he was dissatisfied over the decision to appoint untrained staff to operate the security system,” stated the handout. The chief minister issued orders to further upgrade the security system at the lock-up.
“Staff should be trained and complex security equipment is needed to bring the jail at par with international standards,” stated the handout.
According to the statement, Khattak urged the relevant authorities to shift the inmates of the old district jail in Mardan to the new building as soon as possible.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2015.