Malir jailbreak: Prisons IG removed, DIG, superintendent suspended

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday removed the prisons IG from his post over the Malir jailbreak, and suspended the Malir Jail DIG and superintendent.

Shah termed the incident “completely unacceptable”, saying that it demonstrates gross negligence and inefficiency of the prison administration. “Those responsible will be held accountable,” he stressed. He chaired an emergency meeting at the CM House to review the jailbreak. Senior minister Sharjeel Memon later briefed the media about the decisions taken in the meeting.

The CM directed the home secretary to conduct a comprehensive security audit of all the prisons in the province, including the Malir Jail. He also directed the chief secretary to engage the Karachi commissioner and the city police chief for a thorough investigation.

He stressed that the terms and conditions of the investigation must be clear so that responsibility can be assigned appropriately. “This is enough! I can’t tolerate such gross negligence.” The meeting was told that 216 inmates had escaped from the Malir Jail amid chaos during tremors felt in the area, and that 83 of them have been arrested again, while a search is under way to catch the remaining.

Officials said that all the escaped prisoners were involved in minor offences. The CM appealed to the fugitives to surrender voluntarily. “If they fail to surrender, they will face prosecution under the Anti-Terrorism Act, and can face imprisonment of up to seven years.”

The incident reportedly occurred after tremors prompted the prison staff to move inmates into the open courtyard for safety. However, during the commotion, the situation spiralled out of control, enabling many to break free.

Shah emphasised that the jail authorities should have immediately contacted the local district administration and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) for assistance. “There appears to be a complete breakdown in communication and preparedness.”

Later, speaking to the media at the inauguration of a rehabilitation centre for children with disabilities, he reiterated that an impartial and thorough investigation is under way. “This can’t be ignored. We’ll fix the loopholes in our prison system, and ensure accountability.”

Meanwhile, Sindh police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon visited the Malir Jail, and also discussed the jailbreak with the prisons IG over the phone. The District Malir SSP gave him a detailed briefing on the police action after the jailbreak.

IG Memon told Prisons IG Qazi Niazi that the Sindh police would provide all possible support to the prisons department for rearresting the escaped prisoners. Memon said that due to the timely response of police and other LEAs, many prisoners were immediately caught. He said prisoners of drug and other minor cases are kept in the Malir Jail. The prisons department and the Malir Jail administration have a record of every prisoner, he added.

He pointed out that different police teams have been formed to arrest the escaped prisoners. Orders have been issued at provincial level for the early arrest of the escaped prisoners, he concluded.

Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar also chaired a meeting on the law and order situation, and the police action plan for rearresting the escaped prisoners. Lanjar said that all resources should be utilised to arrest the escaped prisoners. Special attention should be paid to intelligence and reconnaissance, and surveillance should also be ensured in the suburban areas, including hotels, he added.