LAHORE, Dec 13: Punjab Prisons Minister Saeed Akbar on Wednesday suspended from service the Faisalabad district jail superintendent on charges of shaving beard and head of a prisoner and other corrupt practices.

The minister paid a surprise visit to the prison, and found during inquiry that superintendent Riaz Khan had some days ago shaven head and beard of a prisoner.

The minister ordered a departmental inquiry against him and directed senior officers concerned to initiate more strict action against him on completion of the probe.

Mr Akbar also inspected barracks, food godowns and other places, focusing on kitchen with regard to supply of meals to the prisoners. He told the prison staff that the Punjab government had earmarked an additional Rs180 million only for supply of better food to inmates, warning of strict action in case of any complaint in this regard.