Rawalpindi:
Islamabad’s long -awaited model prison is set to be operational in three stages, with the first phase expected to begin in late August.
The second phase ends within 90 days before October 31, while the last phase is scheduled to end before December 31, 2025. When the first phase is completed, between 200 and 300 inmates from Rawalpindis Adiala prison are transferred to the new model prison in Islamabad. Among them is probably former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been jailed in Adiala prison for the past two years.
The Islamabad model prison is built on 90 hectares in sector H-16/2 in the federal capital. Originally estimated at RS3.9 billion, the project’s costs are now ballooned to over RS18.2 billion due to persistent delays and a steep increase in building material prices.
The facility is designed to house 2,000 inmates and catches during the test, and includes separate large barracks for women and young prisoners. The prison also has a school for staff children, a 22-bed hospital for inmates and staff, a mosque, an imambargah, a church, a library and an auditorium.
A large kitchen capable of preparing meals for 2,000 to 3,000 people is also equipped with ROTI making machines. The covered area of the plant has risen from 869,621 to 914,329 square meters.
Although the project was originally proposed in 2007, construction only began after funds were allocated in the budget 2016–17.
Originally scheduled as a 36-month project to be completed in 2019, it was stopped due to cuts in financing. The work resumes at a faster pace from July 1 this year. Two regular barracks and a special barracks are completed together with security checks and central watchtower, which are currently undergoing post -processing work that is expected to pack within a week.
To make the plant functionally, the Ministry of the Interior has requested 288 police personnel, including 8 inspectors, 5 assistant sub -inspectors, 25 main constables and 250 constables. These officers are expected to be handed over to the Islamabad prison administration before August 14.
The appointment of the prison’s first superintendent, Deputy General and Assistant Superintendent is also expected in mid -August. While the model imprisonment will help facilitate overfilling at Adiala Prison, it does not fully solve the problem. Adiala Prison has a capacity of 3,500, but currently houses up to 7,500 inmates and prisoners during trial. Even if 2,000 are moved, the plant is likely to fill up quickly.
Preparations for the launch of the pilot phase are in full swing, with daily status reports being presented to the Ministry of the Interior. Several departments work around the clock to comply with deadlines. Special new prison carts are also delivered, and the recruitment process for doctors and hospital staff will start in the first week of August.
Islamabad became a fully functional capital in 1967. After a 58-year-old wait, the first prison is now set to be activated in 2025.
