Contraband raid

The as-yet unexplained escape of two Lashkar-e-Jhangvi militants from Karachi’s Central Jail last week has led to the discovery of what must surely be a nexus between prison officials and inmates. A 12-hour sweep of the jail by Rangers and Frontier Corps personnel led to the discovery of weapons such as knife-cutters and amenities like LED televisions and mobile telephones in the prisoners’ cells. There is surely no way they could have procured such items, many of them quite large, without the complicity of wardens and guards. Central Jail Karachi holds some of the most dangerous criminals in the country – ranging from hardcore militants to gang members and hardened murderers. That they have some officials in their pockets is hardly a surprise. It has long been known that many within the police sympathise or are swayed by militants while most gangs in the city enjoy some level of official protection and patronage. There is also the element of fear, as police officials know they could pay for their lives if they do not indulge certain prisoners. Still, the discovery of contraband in such quantities would suggest that most of the staff at Central Jail was in on it or turning a blind eye.

The discovery of these prohibited items only strengthens the case that the LeJ militants were able to escape with help from the inside. An inquiry into their escape has found that there was an inordinate delay before the police were told about it. A full investigation is now needed to ascertain not just if the jail authorities were colluding with the LeJ militants but the full extent to which criminals have infiltrated the police. Naturally, this will have to be conducted by an independent entity. The problem likely extends beyond just Karachi’s Central Jail and has infected other prisons too. The police force has long been known to have been politicised. In Karachi, there have been many jail breaks in the city that hinted at possible police involvement. The sweep of Central Jail is just confirmation of what many suspected. It shows that whatever improvement there may have been in the law and order situation in the country will only be temporary so long as we cannot even trust the police to guard those who have made Karachi so dangerous.