Visit to Nowshera sub-jail: Minister promises to address overcrowding issue

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa caretaker Minister for Information and Public Relations Barrister Feroze Jamal Shah Kakakhel on Tuesday said that a number of solutions, including jail expansion or construction of a new facility, would be considered to address the issue of overcrowding at the Nowshera sub-jail.

A handout said that the minister visited the sub-jail and the District Headquarters Hospital in Nowshera and inspected the facilities over there. He also spoke at a Khuli Kutchehry organised by the Department of Public Health Engineering. Feroze Jamal visited various sections of the jail and interacted with prisoners and staff members. The minister was briefed that sub-jail was supposed to accommodate 171 prisoners, but there were 527 inmates. The minister said that a range of solutions, including jail expansion or construction of a new facility, would be considered to resolve this issue. In response to health needs, the minister instructed the district health officer to arrange prompt treatment for inmates suffering from mental and other medical conditions. Feroze Jamal also visited the District Headquarters Hospital where he met with hospital staff, doctors, and patients, and their attendants. He inquired about patient care and the quality of services being offered at the hospital. Dr Shoaib Khan, District Health Officer, briefed him on the facilities. The minister directed the hospital administration to address public complaints and ensure the supply of medicines and provision of good treatment facilities. Feroze Jamal participated in a Khuli Kutchery organised by the District Public Health Engineering Department in Kaka Sahib, where residents voiced concerns about water supply.

Deputy Commissioner Khalid Khattak, SDO Public Health Engineering Ziaur Rehman and other officials were also present. The minister directed the public health authorities to address this matter urgently.

He directed the officials to ensure water supply to the neighbourhood and called for the appointment of operators at 11 designated tube-wells.