RAWALPINDI: Punjab has requested the federal government to
deploy Rangers to further strengthen security around Sahiwal’s ‘high
security prison’ as more than 450 terrorists convicted by the military
and civilian courts have been detained there.
An
official of the prison department said there were intelligence reports
that militant groups were planning to attack the prison to set free
high-profile and convicted terrorists.
He said Rangers
had been deployed at the jail, but due to their other engagements they
had been withdrawn a couple of months ago. However, in view of the
terror threat and the security situation, the Punjab government had
sought deployment of more than 130 personnel of the paramilitary force
to ensure foolproof security for the jail, he added.
The
official said the deputy commissioner and district police officer had
been directed to visit the Sahiwal prison to review security
arrangements and chalk out a foolproof security plan.
He
said all the convicted terrorists had been shifted from other jails in
the province to the prison as it met the high standard of security that
could not be breached.
The official said foolproof security measures were also being taken for other district and central jails across the province.
