LAKKI MARWAT: Minister for public health engineering Pakhtoonyar Khan has said that the provincial government is working on a plan to launch key reforms in jails so as to ensure provision of all facilities to the inmates.

He stated this during a visit to the Central Jail Bannu on Wednesday. Deputy commissioner Abdul Hameed Khan accompanied him.

Jail’s deputy superintendent Motasim Billah briefed the minister about the medical, food and other facilities being provided to the prisoners.

The minister inspected various barracks; especially those reserved for juveniles and women, and checked food being provided to inmates during a visit to the kitchen. He also went to the jail’s hospital and inquired about the availability of medicines, doctors and paramedics.

Mr Pakhtoonyar met inmates and heard their problems.

He directed the jail authorities to take care of the needs of prisoners and provide them with all basic facilities permitted under the law.

He said the provincial government was focused on improving living conditions of jail inmates, adding the reforms would help end miseries of prisoners, especially women and children.

Also on Wednesday, the minister along with deputy commissioner Abdul Hameed inaugurated the newly-built building of the service delivery centre.

The minister said the centre would enable people to get their land-related issues resolved under one roof.

The minister also visited the district Zakat office, and directed the transparent distribution of zakat among poor and deserving people.

Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2025