SWABI: Special assistant to chief minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on prisons, Iftikharullah Jan has said that the long-delayed Swabi jail building, whose construction has been pending for nearly six years, will be completed soon. He said the project is essential because the old Swabi jail, now functioning as a sub-jail, lacks the capacity to accommodate the growing number of prisoners.

Mr Jan visited the old jail in the district headquarters and the under-construction new district jail in Shahmansoor here the other day. The IG prisons Rehman Gul Khattakalong with other provincial officials accompanied the adviser.

Officials of the district administration and leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) also attended the gathering. The three main contractors executing the project were present on the occasion.

Mr Jan, accompanied by provincial minister Faisal Khan Tarakai and former minister Rangaiz Khan also visited Swabi sub-jail. They inspected all the barracks, interacted with undertrial prisoners and inquired about the facilities being provided to them.

During a detailed briefing, Haseebur Rehman, Xen of Mega Division Mardan, told the adviser that construction of the new jail had began in November 2018 and was initially scheduled for completion by November 2020. He said the project is now expected to be completed by July 30, 2027.

Speaking to members of the Swabi Press Club after inspecting the under-construction facility and the Swabi sub-jail, Mr Jan said the provincial government was committed to completing the project within the revised timeframe to provide modern facilities for prisoners. He acknowledged that the existing Swabi sub-jail was too small to accommodate the growing number of inmates.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2026