Islamabad Model Jail groundwork begins amid overcrowding crisis

Islamabad: After years of significant delays, initial groundwork has commenced for the Islamabad Model Jail in Sector H-16, signaling a crucial step towards the capital’s first dedicated correctional facility.

The development comes with the immediate decision to deploy 295 police personnel in the jail’s first operational phase, as authorities push for its completion by mid-next year.

The Islamabad Model Jail project has been a long-awaited endeavor, conceived as early as 2007 and facing numerous setbacks since its formal initiation around 2011 or 2016-17.

Plagued by funding shortages, land disputes, and administrative hurdles, the project’s estimated cost has ballooned from an initial Rs3.9 billion to over Rs18 billion in revised plans.

The urgency for its completion has been underscored by the severe overcrowding at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, which currently accommodates prisoners from the capital, necessitating cumbersome daily transfers for court appearances. Despite various deadlines set over the years, including recent directives from the Interior Minister to expedite work, the facility has remained under construction.

In a significant move to prepare for the jail’s operational launch, the Inspector General of Police, Islamabad, has issued a notification detailing the immediate requirement for manpower. A contingent of 295 police personnel will be deputed from the Islamabad Police's Security, Operations, and Logistics Divisions. These officers, ranging from Inspector to Constable ranks, will serve on a three-year deputation to staff the new Model Jail.

Moreover, the services of senior Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) officers will be utilised for key leadership roles, including the Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, and Assistant Superintendents of the jail. The selection process for the nominated officers and officials is stringent, requiring candidates to be in good physical and mental health, under the age of 50, free from any major disciplinary punishment, and possessing a service record of no less than three years.

This deployment marks a tangible step towards making the long-anticipated Islamabad Model Jail functional, aiming to alleviate pressure on existing correctional facilities and provide a modern, purpose-built prison for the capital.