PM takes notice of model jail project pending for 10 years

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday took notice of the delay in completing the under-construction model prison in the federal capital which has been stalled since last 10 years.

The prime minister formed a six-member committee headed by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah to review the prison project. Other members include Secretaries of the Ministries of Interior, Housing and Planning, Chief Commissioner Islamabad and the Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA).

The prime minister sought the report from the committee within a week. In this regard, a notification of the directive was issued as signed by Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr Tauqeer Shah, the PM Office said.

The construction of Islamabad jail as per international standards and facilities could not be completed due to unavailability of funds.

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Due to non-construction of the building, Islamabad’s prisoners have been accommodated in Adiala Jail for the last six decades. The modern 90-acre jail being built in Sector H-16 adjacent to the motorway will house around 2,000 inmates.

Schools, mosques, training centers, playgrounds, and Islamabad Capital Territory courts will also be built in the premises.  A training center for prison officials will also be built in the complex.

The concept of model prison was conceived in 2009 and was expected to be completed by 2013. However, the CDA allegedly mismanaged the land acquisition process and delayed the project.

In 2017, then interior minister Ahsan Iqbal inaugurated the project for the second time. The estimated cost of Rs3.9 billion has escalated to Rs12 billion due to the increase in prices of raw material amid the delayed execution.