LAHORE – The Punjab Home Department has requested the Defence Ministry to declare Kot Lakhpat Central Jail – where United States (US) national Raymond Davis is being kept on judicial remand – and two kilometres of surrounding area a ‘no-fly zone’, sources told Pakistan Today on Wednesday.
Sources said that an anti-aircraft gun had been installed at the prison and security had been increased significantly. They said that the Home Department had made the request because of fears that Davis might be assassinated, and had reportedly requested that law enforcement personnel be posted at the prison for aerial surveillance.
Prisons DIG Shahid Saleem Baig confirmed that the request had been forwarded to the Defence Ministry. However, he could not confirm if the government had declared the area a ‘no-fly zone’ yet. He said that around 80 Rangers, 140 policemen, 100 prison officials and Elite Force personnel were already posted at the Kot Lakhpat Jail to guard Davis.
A Prisons Department official who wished to remain unnamed said that the US had requested that the government allow its personnel to oversee Raymond’s security in the prison, but the request had been turned down. The official also said that the authorities concerned were considering posting Military Intelligence personnel at the prison as an added security measure.
DIG Baig, however, denied any knowledge of MI’s involvement but said it might be an option that the government could consider.
