Hyderabad Traffic DIG Appointed IG Prisons After Emergency Ordinance Issued
KARACHI:
In the aftermath of a major jailbreak at Malir District Jail, the Sindh government has begun placing officers from outside the traditional prison service into high-ranking roles within the provincial prison system.
Earlier this week, over 200 inmates escaped from the Malir facility, prompting swift administrative action. On Thursday, the government appointed Fida Hussain Mastoi—currently serving as DIG Traffic Police Hyderabad and a Federal Police Service officer—as the new Inspector General (IG) of Prisons. This marks the first time someone from outside the Prisons Service Group has held this top post.
The appointment follows the enactment of an ordinance that amends the Sindh Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2019. Issued by Acting Governor Owais Qadir Shah, the ordinance allows officers from various services, such as the Pakistan Administrative Service, Police Service of Pakistan, and Provincial Management Service, to be eligible for key prison leadership roles including IG Prisons, DIG Prisons, and Senior Superintendent of Jails.
Under the revised law, the provincial prisons minister—Haji Ali Hassan Zardari—is now empowered to directly appoint Senior Superintendents of Jails in major institutions like Karachi Central Jail. Previously, such appointments required a recommendation from the Home Department and final approval by the Chief Secretary.
Until now, only officers from the dedicated Prisons Service Group were considered for senior positions under the 2019 legislation. With the new ordinance, that exclusivity has been removed, allowing personnel from agencies like the Sindh Police to be appointed to top posts in the prisons department.
The timing of the ordinance has drawn attention, as it was signed just hours after the major security lapse at Malir Jail.
In the wake of the incident, the Sindh government has removed IG Prisons Qazi Nazir and suspended DIG Prisons Muhammad Hassan Sehto, along with the jail superintendent, deputy superintendent, and several other officials.
Judicial Custody for Jailbreak Suspects
Meanwhile, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday ordered 115 inmates—linked to the recent jailbreak—to be sent to judicial custody. The prisoners were brought to the Anti-Terrorism Complex inside Karachi Central Jail under tight security.
During the proceedings, the court sharply criticized police for submitting an incomplete remand report.
