KARACHI: Keeping in view the ‘constant security threats’ to prisons across Sindh, the authorities have sought strict security measures at the facilities in the province, especially in Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur prisons.

In this connection, special directives have been issued for compliance during the upcoming five-day Eid holidays.

In a communiqué to jailers, the Sindh prisons chief had also announced that Eid holidays of jail staff, including members of its medical and paramedic teams, had been cancelled and asked them to ensure their presence at the facilities during the holidays.

“As you all are aware that generally all Sindh prisons and especially central prison & CF Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur are under constant security threats by the various terrorist and banned organisations, which requires extraordinary precautionary measures during prevailing situation,” said the letter sent from Sindh IG asking officials to ensure security measures between April 21 and 25 — the Eid holidays.

Although the letter didn’t specify the nature of threat to the prisons, it cancelled the leave of even medical staff of the facilities across Sindh asking them to stay on the premises during the Eid holidays.

“No staff member shall be allowed to leave the headquarters during the declared Eid holidays, including medical and paramedical staff, who shall provide full medical cover to prisoners or staff in case of any emergency,” said the letter.

The fresh security orders, however, would not disturb the routine of the Sindh prisons as the IG-prisons also asked for measures to ensure meeting of inmates with their family members during the Eid holidays.

“The meeting of prisoners with their blood relatives may be allowed on any of the three days during the Eid holidays,” said the letter.

With 26 operational jails out of total 33 facilities in Sindh, the prisons across the province face an immense pressure of overcrowding as there are more than 23,000 inmates in the jails against the capacity of 13,500 inmates.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2023