RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government replaced Adiala jail Superintendent Saqib Nazir Chaudhry on Saturday.

According to notification issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Asghar Ali (BS-18) replaced Saqib Nazir Chaudhry as new Superintendent of Adiala jail.

According to officials, the Punjab government has ordered the outgoing superintendent to report to the Punjab Inspectorate of Prisons, Lahore, with immediate effect.

Asghar Ali, who was serving as Superintendent of Sheikhupura prison, was transferred and posted as new Superintendent of Adiala jail.

Sources also disclosed Assistant Superintendent Zeeshan Sarwar Cheema was transferred and posted in Central Jail Gujranwala. Similarly, Chief Head Warder Mohammad Hussain, head warders Amir Faraz, Khalid Pervaiz and other five warderswere also transferred and postedin other prisons, they said.

They revealed the superintendent was transferred after a report submitted by Special Branch of Punjab Police with Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Mohammad Basharat Raja, Chief Secretary Jawad Raffique Malik, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Momin Agha, Principal Secretary to CM Punjab retired Flight Lt Iftikhar Ali Sahoo and Ghulam Mubashir Maken, SSP law and order to the chief minister.

The Special Branch wrote in the report that the prisoners of Adiala jail are worried because of exploitation, misuse of power and misbehaviour of jail officials and it recommended strict action against the corrupt elements.

In the light of report, the government held an inquiry against jail officials.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2020