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LAHORE, Jul 24 (APP):Punjab Home Secretary Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi on Thursday chaired a meeting to review progress on ongoing development schemes in the province’s prisons.
According to a spokesperson, the meeting was briefed that 38 development projects including 34 ongoing and four new schemes were underway in Punjab’s jails at a total cost of Rs28 billion. Out of this, Rs9 billion has already been utilised.
The schemes include construction of new prisons, inmate barracks, hospital facilities, kitchen areas and modern visitor sheds. A major initiative is the Lahore Prison Complex, being built at an estimated cost of Rs6 billion, with a capacity to accommodate 10,000 inmates. A new district jail in Sialkot is also being constructed at a cost of Rs4.8 billion, with a capacity of 2,000 prisoners.
The home secretary directed prison authorities to ensure all development work is completed strictly on merit and under robust monitoring mechanisms. He said that the CM Punjab is personally overseeing implementation of the prison reforms agenda.
Dr. Javed stressed adherence to the principle of “hate the crime, not the criminal” and instructed the prison administration to adopt effective measures during the monsoon season, especially for dengue prevention.
He reiterated that the government is committed to a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and directed full compliance with the Home Department’s prison reforms regulations.
The meeting was attended by IG Prisons Mian Farooq Nazir, Additional Secretary Prisons Asim Raza, and senior officials, while regional DIGs and jail superintendents participated via video link.