Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif ordered the construction of a new jail in Lahore due to the overcrowded existing jails.
The new prison would be built in Manawan and would possess relatively more capacity than its existing counterparts. The construction of the prison is expected to begin soon.
Jails in Punjab exceed their holding capacity, on average, by about 8,000 prisoners.
Jails had been under question since an attack on the DI Khan jail and the consequent escape of high-profile criminals on July 29.
Special arrangements to secure prisons are being made across the country.
