Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works, led by Senator Nasir Mehmood, conducted an inspection of the Islamabad Model Jail to assess its construction progress and the development of its modern facilities, including medical and skill-development infrastructure. The committee convened a meeting on-site to discuss the project’s implementation and future steps.
According to Senate of Pakistan, the meeting, attended by Senators Khalida Ateeb, Husna Bano, Naseema Ehsan, and Muhammad Aslam Abro, featured a briefing on the project’s status. Officials reported that the total cost of the jail is Rs. 7,399.12 million, with approximately 97 percent of construction completed. The committee learned that a modern hospital with the latest medical facilities has been established and can be operational within 24 hours.
The committee expressed concerns over delays in the project’s completion, which began in 2017, emphasizing the need for the facility to focus on rehabilitation and reform rather than traditional incarceration. Concerns were raised about the exclusion of female and juvenile prisoners from the first project phase. The original 2017 master plan aimed to create a comprehensive reformative facility for all inmate categories, but budget constraints led to a phased implementation. The first phase, nearly complete, will accommodate 732 male inmates.
The committee called for the inclusion of facilities for female and juvenile prisoners in subsequent phases. Senator Mehmood instructed the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives to update the committee on the second phase’s status, plans, and timeline. He highlighted the importance of developing the jail as a reformative center, equipping inmates with practical skills for societal reintegration post-sentence.
Vocational training programs will cover skills such as motor mechanics and handicrafts. The committee noted that a separation wall is in place, allowing the second phase to proceed without affecting the operational facility. During the visit, the committee reviewed construction and facility installations, expressing concern over missing fire-safety equipment despite the presence of a fire alarm system. Authorities were instructed to install fire hydrants and sprinkler systems within 15 days. Suggestions were made for additional facilities such as a theatre and enhanced meeting area safety measures.
The committee assured support to the Capital Development Authority and relevant authorities to resolve issues and ensure the project’s timely completion. It reiterated the need for dedicated barracks and rehabilitation facilities for female and juvenile prisoners to fulfill the jail’s vision of becoming a modern reformative correctional facility.