QUETTA: Following a decision of the Apex Committee, Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove has paid the fine on behalf of 20 prisoners for their release from Central Jail, Quetta, following threats of the spread of coronavirus in province’s prisons.

“The provincial government has released 20 prisoners involved in minor crimes, but those who had been jailed for major crimes, including anti-state activities, murder and kidnapping, won’t receive any relief,” Mr Langove said.

He said 708 inmates in provincial jails had been screened for Covid-19.

The inspector general of prisons briefed the minister on efforts being taken to avert the spread of Covid-19 in jails of Balochistan.

Mr Langove has ordered the jail authorities to release 20 prisoners immediately. The home minister said the government had imposed the lockdown across Balochistan in order to prevent coronavirus from spreading in the province.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2020