“I want to complete my sentence.”
Over 200 prisoners escaped from Karachi’s District Malir prison amid earthquakes. Authorities have since arrested dozens of the prisoners.
The total number of recaptured prisoners is 94 out of the 216 who escaped.
Despite these arrests, 122 inmates remain on the run, with search operations ongoing across the city to track them down, officials said.
The jailbreak has triggered a formal investigation. Jail authorities registered a case at the Shah Latif Town Police Station.
The FIR was lodged by Deputy Superintendent Zulfiqar Ali Pirzada.
It includes charges such as attempted murder, dacoity, police encounter, and terrorism under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Law enforcement agencies have urged the public to assist in locating the escapees.
Raids and surveillance efforts have intensified, especially at locations known to be linked to the fugitives.
Officials also promised leniency to inmates who surrender voluntarily, encouraging them to come forward.
Among those who turned themselves in was Asif, an inmate serving time for theft.
He said the jailbreak started when earthquake tremors hit.
Asif recalled: “As soon as the earthquake struck, prisoners started coming out of their barracks. There was no one there to stop us.”
He explained that the inmates exited through the main gate and fled onto the nearby road.
Asif continued: “I want to complete my sentence.”
He added that he had already served 10 months and that his case was still pending.
In another instance, a woman took her son and his friend back to jail.
They were drug addicts who returned home at 3:30 am on the night of the breakout.
The woman expressed hope that her son would recover from addiction while incarcerated.
A major breakthrough came with the Sindh Minister for Prisons, Ali Hassan Zardari, ordering the arrest of Malir prison’s head constable, Rashid Chingari.
Investigations revealed serious collusion inside the prison system aiding escapes.
Rashid Chingari reportedly fled after the minister returned from a medical checkup.
Ali Hassan Zardari quickly launched a crackdown on corrupt jail officials upon his arrival.
Though Chingari was not suspended earlier with 23 other officials, his involvement surfaced during deeper probes.
Authorities directed the DIG Prisons to suspend Chingari immediately and conduct a full inquiry into his role.
A recent report exposing a network between inmates and corrupt prison staff sparked public outrage.
This prompted swift action from the Ministry of Prisons. Minister Zardari emphasised:
“No official, regardless of rank, would be spared if found involved in unlawful practices.”
The crackdown aims to dismantle the internal support system that allegedly enabled multiple escapes.
The ongoing search, investigation, and arrests highlight serious flaws in Malir Jail’s security and administration.
Authorities remain determined to restore order and prevent future breaches.
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