ISLAMABAD, Dec 5: The government has decided to establish High Security Jails (HSJs) along with the existing jails for terrorists and hardened criminals, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao said on Monday. He told reporters in a press conference that HSJs were being established under on-going jail reforms to provide better security and environment to the jail inmates.

The minister said three HSJs one each in Karachi, Mianwali and Sahiwal had already been set up.

Mr Sherpao said earlier barracks in all existing jails would be declared the HSJs but later proper HSJ would be established.

Giving details about the security arrangements to be provided in the HSJs, the minister said terrorists and hardened criminals would be kept in these jails where mobile telephone jammers, close circuit security cameras and electronic security equipment would be installed.

The press conference was held after a high level meeting on jail reforms held in the interior ministry. The meeting is stated to be the first of its kind held after five years on jail reforms.

It was attended by State Minister for Interior Dr Shahzad Waseem, secretary interior Syed Kamal Shah, additional secretary interior Ch Qamar Zaman, chief secretaries, inspector generals (IG) jails of four provinces and Azad Kashmir and senior officials of law enforcement agencies.

The minister said that the government had done away with the sentence of whipping in jails by repealing Whipping Act, adding that the steps were being taken to stop torturing of jail inmates.

The minister said that most of the prisoners in AJK jails had escaped when their jails’ buildings caved in due to October 8 earthquake. “Some 25 of them were killed in the deadliest quake and so far 655 inmates are in custody in AJK,” he added.

He said several amendments would be made in Pakistan Prison Rules as most of the reforms could be made through amendments. “Pakistan prison rules, which are equally applicable throughout the country have become 24 years old and now they should be updated,” he urged. The minister said a committee has been formed to prepare a complete and comprehensive report for reformation of jails and their prisons.

A joint secretary ministry of interior, Tipu Mahabat Khan will be the head of the committee while representatives of provincial home departments, law divisions, AJK and principal judicial institute Lahore will be its members. This committee will submit its report within three months. Mr Sherpao said every province should take special measure for providing free legal aid to prisoners particularly women and children. “Services of the retired judges and volunteer organizations would be utilised through a welfare committee formation. In Sindh this type of committee has already been working under supervision of Justice (retd) Aslam Nasir Zahid and other provinces should also work on these lines”, he added.