IG Prisons, DIG should be replaced, proposes inquiry report

KARACHI: A probe into serious security lapses at the Karachi Central Jail (KCJ) has proposed that the Inspector General (IG) Prisons Nusrat Manghan and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Prisons Karachi Region Ashraf Ali Nizmani be replaced with immediate effect, it surfaced on Wednesday.

Law enforcement agencies conducted a raid at the prison last week, and took custody of two terror convicts who were recruiting inmates for Daesh, sources informed Geo News.

“The inquiry has found that all layers of security have loopholes, leading to security lapses,” the inquiry officer Additional IG Crime Branch Aftab Pathan observed. “Superintendent Jail, Deputy Superintendent, and assistant superintendent are responsible for these loopholes and lapses.”

Jail officials and IG Prisons are responsible for the repeated security lapses, according to the inquiry report which has proposed that the entire jail staff at the city's central jail be replaced on an immediate basis.

The report, which has been submitted to the home ministry, has also proposed that Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) officers should be installed as the IG Prisons Sindh, DIG Prisons Sindh, and Jail Superintendent of Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur regions.

A report that surfaced in September disclosed that up to 30 prisoners were recruited from inside the jail premises by Daesh.

Of the 30 prisoners recruited into the banned group, 12 have been released on bail and their whereabouts are unknown, sources told Geo News.

Law enforcement agencies have since then raided the residences of the Daesh recruits released on bail but have not been able to trace the missing individuals.

A Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) report had highlighted an 'alarming' security situation at the Karachi Central Jail

Earlier, a report by the Counter-Terrorism Department has revealed that terrorists imprisoned at Central Jail Karachi had access to the prison’s record room and sensitive document.