KARACHI, Dec 27: Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui has said that construction of 30 more barracks was in final stage at the Karachi Central Prison to overcome shortage of space to accommodate prisoners.

This he said while speaking at a ceremony as chief guest held at the Central Prison as part of Christmas celebrations and birth anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah on December 25.

Prison IG Brig M A H Ayaz Mughani, Amanullah Khan Niazi, Abdul Khaliq Ansari, Nazar Shah, Khawar Gulfam, and artists Moin Akhtar and Izhar Qazi also spoke on the occasion.

On the occasion Mohammad Ali Shehki, Aftab Alam, Moin Akhtar, Izhar Kazi, Hani Khan, Rahim Shah, Shafqat Tarar, Naim Abbas Roofi, Sikandar Sanam, and other presented their performances.

Rauf Siddiqui said that the fresh construction would benefit the prisoners on death row. He said that for provision of speedy justice, court room and judges' chamber had been built in the jail premises where all facilities to hear cases had been provided.

Mr Siddiqui said that Pakistan came into being as result of sacrifices rendered by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and our elders. He praised IG prisons and his team for carrying out various welfare projects for prisoners.

The Home minister said that about 600 prisoners, who had completed their terms but could not be set free because of failure on their part to pay penalties had been released with the help of various philanthropists as well as due to the efforts of IG prisons. He said that this process will continue.

Rauf Siddiqui said that a decision had been taken to set 900 Indian fishermen free and return them to their homes, who were arrested on charges of violating the country's water limits while fishing. --APP