The government on Thursday constituted a special committee to prepare reforms and suggestion for improvement of prisons and performance of its staff across the country.
Secretary Interior is heading the Jail Reforms Committee which is assigned to report within four weeks to the Minister for Interior, Rehman Malik.
An official at Ministry of Interior said Home Secretaries and respective Inspector Generals of Police (IGPs) would are the members of the committee.
The official while enumerating the measures decided for security of prisons and welfare of their staff, said jails are being categorised as A, B and C and security cover would be determined as per category of the prison.
He said the salaries and perks of prisons staff would also be made at par with the police as a part of initiatives.
The official said scanners would be installed in jails to ensure their fool-proof security and jails to be guarded by police and added No Objection Certificate (NOC) for jammers to prisons authorities has been issued.
He said National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) would conduct survey and scrutinize identity of all prisoners in the country to compile personal database of prisoners while summary would soon be moved to Prime Minister for establishment of a Federal Cadre Prison Service. Establishment of High Security Prisons for high security prisoners is also a part of measures.
He said modern training of jail staff is also very important and to achieve the task National Police Academy (NPA) is asked to impart training to around 200 master trainers to give further training in the prisons.
Moreover, the official said the other step planned is to station quick reaction force in the vicinity of jails while Rangers/FC would also be deployed for Adiala Jail.
He said prison service would also be declared as essential service and financial assistance package and compensation would be provided to those jail officials who sacrifice their lives or come to harm during duty.
Broken pipeline irks residents : A broken sewerage pipeline in Raja Sultan Mohallah has been irking the area people. The pipline was broken in just three months after being laid.
Talking to APP, ex-naib nazim union council 16, Amjad Abbasi, said the pipeline was laid in Street No 11 to throw sewerage water of Holy Family Road into Leh Nullah. He said many complaints were lodged with WASA about the problem, but no action had been taken.
