MANSEHRA: The Upper Kohistan district administrationon Wednesday finalised a plan to establish a literacy centre in Jalkot jail.

“We want to provide all services and rights, promised in the jail manual, to prisoners,” deputy commissioner of Upper Kohistan Tariq Ali Khan told a meeting in his office.

The participants, including representatives of various departments and jail officials, discussed prison security, establishment of the literacy centre, food, and other issues.

The deputy commissioner said preparations for establishing the literacy centre were under way and that educated and qualified prisoners would be recruited to teach other inmates.

“If we cannot find educated or qualified inmates, we will hire teachers from outside,” he said.

Educated prisoners to be recruited to teach others

Mr Khan said external security for the jail was being enhanced in light of the current delicate law and order situation, while the district police officer was completing all necessary formalities for the purpose. He directed the jail superintendent to ensure that all basic necessities are provided to inmates in accordance with the jail manual.

“You must ensure that the jail environment aligns with human rights standards and provide inmates with warm clothing and quality food,” he told the jail superintendent.

He added that due to harsh winter, the jail administration should take all necessary measures to maintain the prisoners’ good health.

“The district administration is also supplying medicines to inmates,” he said.

On the occasion, jail superintendent Abdul Razzaq highlighted electricity and other jail issues. He said though the jail had a solar system, it suffered from power outages.

Mr Razzaq said around 100 prisoners were kept in the jail throughout the year, with all needs available to them.

POULTRY PRICES: Poultry prices reached record high here on Wednesday, with live chicken selling at Rs435 per kg.

The price of live chicken hovered around Rs300 per kg in the last couple of months but rose to Rs400 in the recent days and reached Rs435 on Wednesday. Residents said the same chicken was sold for around Rs450 per kg in Torghar and Kohistan districts.

“Our sales have significantly dropped due to the sudden increase in prices,” chicken shop owner Mohammad Azam told Dawn.

He added that prices remained stable for a couple of months, increasing sales. “We are now witnessing a significant decline in sales as the wedding season has ended in the district due to severe cold,” he said.

Resident Mohammad Bashir criticised the pricing system and said poultry prices, despite being a product of the local industry, were controlled by wholesalers in Punjab. “Mansehra is known for poultry production but the prices here are still dictated by Punjab traders. This unfairpractice should be eliminated,” he said.

Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2025