KHAR/TIMERGARA: The authorities in Bajaur Agency and Lower Dir have freed over 60 prisoners detained for petty crimes so they could celebrate Eidul Azha with their family members.

In Bajaur Agency, 52 prisoners were released on the orders of assistant political agent, Khar sub-division, Mohammad Ali Khan and APA Nawagai sub-division Tariqullah following their visit to the agency headquarters jail in Khar.

Both the officials held a brief court inside the jail premises where they were briefed about the number of prisoners and the nature of their crimes. They were told that around 155 prisoners had been kept in the jail, mostly for minor crimes, for several months.

After brief hearing, the officials ordered release of 52 prisoners involved in petty crimes.

Senator Hidayatullah Khan and senior officials of the administration and Levies force were also present on the occasion.

Later, the visiting officials examined barracks and different parts of the jail. The prisoners complained about the attitude of the jail officials and said that their behaviour with them was harsh. They pointed out that the officials were not giving them meal according to the jail manual.

They asked the jail staff to ensure provision of all meals along with tea as per jail manual to the prisoners. The officials were informed that construction work on new building of Khar jail was in progress.

Meanwhile, the Lower Dir administration freed 14 prisoners from district jail, Timergara.

Assistant commissioner Imran Khan and civil judge Afzaal Ahmad visited the jail on special directives of deputy commissioner Irfanullah Wazir. They visited different barracks in the jail and ordered release of 14 prisoners who were involved in petty cases.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2016