HARIPUR: PPP leader Ijaz Ali Khan Durrani on Friday demanded the immediate shifting of hardened criminals from the Haripur jail to the Mardan prison.

He told reporters here that 50 hardened criminals were kept in the Central Jail Haripur and strict security checks were in place for them inconveniencing the people living or doing business in the adjoining areas.

The PPP leader said on one hand, the government claimed it was ensuring provision of justice to the local residents but on the other, it had troubled the residents of Haripur in the name of security for the hardened criminals detained in the local jail for several months.

“The Central Jail Road has been barricaded providing a narrow diversion to motorists and pedestrians, while high-frequency jammers installed inside the jail have rendered the mobile phone service ineffective in the adjoining areas,” he claimed.

Mr Durrani said the residents, especially those doing business near the jail, were worst affected by the security checks as they struggled to move around and use mobile phone service.

He said such security checks for few detainees were unjustifiable and unlawful and violated the fundamental rights of the people.

The PPP leader suggested that the hardened criminals be moved from the Haripur jail to the Mardan prison as the latter for such outlaws.

Mr Durrani, who is also the PPP candidate from PK-40, Haripur, said after winning the elections, he would get the jail building vacated by the home department for the University of Haripur, which was currently located in its neighbourhood.

He said as MPA, he would also ensure jobs for local youths in the Hattar Industrial Estate, revival of sick unit of the Telephone Industries of Pakistan, and establishment of a cadet college and a medical college in the city.

The PPP leader said he was hopeful that the party would sweep the next elections to form governments in the centre and provinces.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2018