Four new high security prisons and barracks are being constructed, one each at central jails Lahore, Rawalpindi, Mianwali and Sahiwal at a total cost of Rs 1935.189 million.
Inspector General of Prisons Punjab, Kokab Nadeem Warraich told APP here on Sunday that in addition to high security prisons, nine more new jails are also being constructed in different districts at a cost of Rs 6594.337 million. He said that the new jails are being built at Okara, Pakpattan, Layyah, Bakkar, Hafizabad, Khanewal, Lodhran,Rajanpur and Narowal.
Warraich further said 928 additional cells and 140 barracks for condemned prisoners are being added to the existing jails. He also said 39 jail medical officers and women medical officers will get new residences at 25 jails across the province, adding that Rs 97.160 million are being spent on its execution.
Regarding the facilities, the IGP said that 4,508 new toilets are also being added to 26 various central and district jails to provide better facilities to the inmates, while the facility of gas is also being provided to district jails, Kasur and Attock at a cost of Rs 3,892 million.
He maintained that water filtration plants and generators are being installed for ensuring potable drinking water and uninterrupted power supply to the prisoners. He added that in order to facilitate relatives of prisoners, 28 new interview and waiting sheds are being constructed at different jails throughout the province at a cost of Rs 3892 million.
Warraich ordered all DIGs and superintendents of concerned jails to ensure early completion of the undergoing projects without compromising on the quality of construction material, keeping it strictly in accordance with tender specification. He warned that negligent persons, in this regard, would not be spared.