SIALKOT The Sialkot district jail still remains overcrowded as no sincere and effective measures have been taken by the provincial and district governments despite promising to do so after the deadly 2003 Sialkot jail tragedy which killed nine people.

Deputy Superintendent Sialkot Jail Muhammad Riaz Pervaiz claimed that as many as 2712 prisoners have been kept in the jail despite having a total capacity of 662 prisoners.

Initially the government had planned to establish a new jail on main Sialkot-Pasrur Road near Model Town No. 2 and to shift the Sialkot jail there, but this scheme still has not gotten off the ground.

A well equipped special computer lab has been established at Sialkot jail in active collaboration with the Sialkot business community for giving the necessary computer training to the prisoners, besides, giving basic education to all the inmates.

He said that the ultra modern and foolproof security system has been established in Sialkot district jail and the dozens of the surveillance cameras have been affixed in this jail to avert any July 23, 2005 like tragedy in Sialkot jail in future.

The Sialkot jail was established in 1863 and has been declared dangerous by the authorities.

It may be pointed out that Narowal district is still without its own jail since its establishment as district headquarters in 1990. The Narowal district's prisoners have been kept in Sialkot district jail.