CHAKWAL, Feb 27: The Punjab government has approved the construction of a new jail in Chakwal as the present sub-jail has become overcrowded and did not have the required facilities for the prisoners.

This was stated by Superintendent of the sub-jail, Chaudhry Asghar Ali, at “Meet the Press” programme of the Chakwal Press Club on Monday.

The district jail will be constructed near Police Lines. The Punjab Prisons inspector-general has directed the District C-ordination Officer (DCO) to find suitable land for the jail.

The sub-jail since its establishment in 1998, has no doctor, the superintendent said.

There was capacity for 142 prisoners in the sub-jail while 190 to 200 prisoners were kept there on daily basis.

He said under the jail reforms, beds had been provided to women prisoners in jails throughout the Punjab.

IG Punjab had also increased walking time of prisoners from 30 minute to one hour, he added.

He claimed that organized corruption in the sub-jail had been eliminated, and people were asked to inform the authorities concerned about corrupt officials in the sub-jail.

He further said upholding of human rights in the sub-jail was his priority.