Karachi [Pakistan]: In a significant upheaval within Sindh’s prison system, Malir Jail’s head constable Rashid Chingari has allegedly fled after being accused of helping prisoners escape, prompting the provincial government to order his immediate arrest. Sindh Minister for Prisons, Ali Hassan Zardari, issued the directive shortly after returning from an overseas medical check-up, signaling a crackdown on corrupt practices within the prison administration. Although Chingari was not part of the initial wave of 23 suspended jail staff, his involvement came to light during the investigation, raising serious concerns about his role in the recent jailbreak incident at Malir Jail.
Sources confirmed that DIG Prisons has been directed to suspend Chingari and conduct a thorough inquiry into his conduct. The investigation has been accelerated following a recent ARY News exposé revealing corrupt links between certain inmates and prison officials. Zardari has ordered law enforcement to arrest Chingari promptly, emphasizing accountability and stating that no official, regardless of rank, will be protected if involved in illegal activities.
This move follows the suspension of key officials including the Inspector General (IG) Jails Sindh, DIG Jails, and the Superintendent of Malir Jail, after over 200 inmates escaped in what is considered one of Karachi’s most severe security breaches. Senior Sindh minister Sharjeel Memon announced the formation of an inquiry committee, with early findings indicating that 138 inmates remain at large. The government has offered a brief opportunity for prisoners to surrender within 24 hours, promising leniency, while those who don’t face additional jail terms of up to seven years under jailbreak laws.
The jailbreak started around 12:05 am with a disturbance inside the prison, during which inmates shattered doors and grills in multiple sections, including Circle No. 4, 2, and 5, causing extensive damage to administrative areas such as the E-Court, CPLC, and CRO offices. By 1:00 am, 216 inmates had escaped; 78 were recaptured. During the chaos, inmate Tahir Khan was killed while trying to escape, and 12 others were injured and are receiving treatment, according to ARY News. This security lapse has exposed critical deficiencies in prison management and has prompted urgent measures to restore order and accountability in Karachi’s correctional facilities.
