Rawalpindi – Prisoners brought from Adiala Central Jail to courts in Rawalpindi’s district judiciary have voiced serious complaints about the conditions inside the facility, highlighting severe overcrowding and the poor quality of food provided for Iftar during the holy month of Ramazan.
Speaking to reporters after appearing before sessions courts, several accused persons painted a grim picture of life inside the prison.
‘Sleeping in Shifts, in Washrooms’
The core grievance is the extreme shortage of space. According to the detainees, the wards where they are housed were originally designed to accommodate 70 to 80 inmates. However, they allege that currently, between 130 and 140 prisoners are confined in a single ward.
The lack of space has forced inmates into desperate measures. “In our ward, about 40 prisoners sleep while another 40 remain awake, and then they switch,” one inmate explained. He added that the situation is particularly difficult during Ramazan, as the lack of proper rest compounds the challenges of fasting.
Others claimed that the overcrowding forces many to sleep in the washrooms, highlighting a critical failure in basic living standards.
Appeal for Bail
In light of these conditions, the prisoners made an appeal to the judiciary. They requested that, given the ongoing month of Ramazan and the approaching Eid season, bail should be granted in cases other than serious crimes like murder, robbery, rape, major financial fraud, and terrorism. They argued that this would significantly reduce the overwhelming population in the jail.
Iftar Meal Quality Questioned
While waiting in the temporary holding cells (Bakshi Khana) at the Judicial Complex, several detainees also criticised the quality of the Iftar meals. According to them, the samosas and pakoras served at sunset are often prepared as early as 10am.
By the time they are distributed, the food has become “hard as stones” and excessively salty, leaving inmates with little choice but to discard them. They added that the dates provided are also of very poor quality.
The prisoners urged judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts to conduct surprise inspections of the jail wards and Iftar arrangements, stating that such visits would reveal the true situation inside the prison.
Jail Authorities Respond
Responding to the allegations, jail authorities acknowledged the logistical challenge of preparing meals for a massive population. They stated that preparing Iftar for six to seven thousand inmates and detainees inevitably requires advance preparation. They maintained that the bread, pakoras, and samosas are freshly made, though they are cooked two to three hours before distribution due to the sheer volume.
Officials noted that the situation is expected to improve once the Islamabad Central Model Jail becomes fully operational. At that point, prisoners from the Islamabad district will be transferred there, easing pressure on Adiala Jail. They also clarified that inmates who wish to prepare their own Iftar meals are permitted to do so freely within the jail.
