RAWALPINDI: Concerned over the rising number of inmates in Adiala jail, its superintendent has written a letter to the chief commissioner Islamabad, requesting him to issue necessary directives against shifting of beggars to the jail in the garrison city.

In his letter, the jail superintendent said Central Jail Adiala had been built to accommodate 2,174 prisoners whereas there were 7,000 prisoners in the facility at present.

On several occasions, beggars, who are arrested under thebeggary act from Islamabad district, were shifted to Adiala jail. Majority of these beggars comprised people who were injured, disabled, scavengers and drug addicts. Since the number of prisoners (beggars) was more than the available space in the jail, the staff there had to face many problems, the letter said.

The jail superintendent therefore requested the chief commissioner to get the district jail in the federal capitalcompleted at the earliest so that beggars, arrested under the beggary act, could be shifted there.He further requested that the arrested beggars should not be sent to Adiala jail.

The superintendent also sent the letter to the district and sessions judge Islamabad, deputy inspector general prison Rawalpindi Region and the relevant assistant commissioners.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2024