LAHORE, July 27: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi on Sunday ordered thorough search of all the jails in the province to find weapons or other prohibited items, if any.

He also announced financial aid for the families of the slain Sialkot judges.

Presiding over a high-level meeting, the CM discussed all aspects of the incident which ended in the tragic death of three judges and injuries to four others.

Punjab Home Secretary Brig Ejaz Shah (retd) and acting Punjab IGP (Prisons) Capt Sarfraz Mufti (retd), who were among the participants of the meeting, were directed by the CM to launch a thorough search of all the jails in the province within 24 hours. “The superintendents of all the jails will furnish a certificate to the effect that there are no weapons or prohibited items in their prisons,” he said.

He directed the two officers to ensure surprise visits to prisons after the submission of the certificates and award severe punishment in case of violation or negligence.

Besides the two officials, the meeting was attended by Punjab chief secretary Hafeez Randhawa, IGP Masud Shah and other senior officers.

The CM issued instruction for setting up a “highly-trained special squad” for improvement of security arrangements in the jails as well as dealing with emergency situation.

He told the meeting that strict vigilance should be maintained over prisoners involved in heinous crimes to avoid recurrence of such incidents.

Earlier, the chief minister held a meeting with LHC Chief Justice Iftikhar Hussain and announced a financial assistance of Rs one million each for the families of the slain judges, Rs 500,000 for injured judge Shaharyar Bukhari who is under treatment at Intensive Care Unit of the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC).

The CM also announced Rs 200,000 for injured constable Riaz Khokhar, who is under treatment at the Mayo Hospital.

PIC: Dr Imran of the PIC described the condition of injured judge Shaharyar Bukhari as critical. “He is on ventilator and his condition is critical.”