Locked up luxury: Imprisoned officials live like kings in Quetta jail
The hidden realities of life behind bars were exposed in leaked videos and pictures
July 23, 2017
QUETTA: Dining to a fancy meal complete with soft drinks, the prisoners at Central Jail, Quetta, live a life of luxury behind bars with complete access to their phones, televisions, Iranian carpets and playing cards. Some prisoners even avail the services of a masseur.
The hidden realities of the life behind bars were exposed in leaked videos and pictures of the said jail.
Some of the notable prisoners, who were seen enjoying the luxury services, include former Chief Minister of Balochistan Aslam Raisani’s Secretary Mir Imran Ghicki, former Balochistan Food Minister Asfandyar Kakar and Food Director Zahir Jan Jamaldini.
Ghicki, who has been imprisoned for involvement in corrupt practices, also updates his social media accounts regularly, according to sources.
Ghicki updated his Facebook's profile picture on July 19, which may suggest that prisoners even have access to social media sites.
However, soon after the airing of the video on media, the Facebook account was deactivated.
On the other hand, Kakar has been alleged to be involved in corruption worth Rs2 billion and was involved in the disappearance of five million sacks of wheat during his term in the previous government's tenure.
In one of the videos, Kakar and Jamaldini can be seen using their mobile phones.
Upon contact, DIG Jails remarked that mobile phones are strictly prohibited inside the prison. However, he said that he was not aware if the phones were being used inside the jail, adding that action would be taken if any violation is found.
Sources explained that mobile phone jammers just operate in the outer layer of the prison. Moreover, the food which comes for some prisoners is brought by jail officials, sources added.
Reacting to the videos, Home Minister Balochistan Sarfaraz Bugti took notice of the luxuries available to the prisoners and ordered an inquiry into the matter.
Similar sight in Karachi
On June 19, security personnel seized about 700 televisions and LCDs, 102 mobile phones, 82 speakers, 18 deep freezers, three DVD players, 31 water dispensers, more than a dozen water coolers, 56 tonnes of ration, 10 illegal kitchens and 163 gas cylinders during a raid in Central Jail, Karachi.
Moreover, a huge quantity of contraband and Rs3.3 million of looted cash were also recovered. Some of the prisoners were using technology to bypass the mobile phone jammers placed within premises of the jail.
The recovery of goods serves as an eye-opener regarding the conditions of the city’s prisons, begging authorities to take stern action against such negligence.
