Appointment of non-prison cadre officer as Ad IG triggers concerns

PESHAWAR: The senior officers of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Prisons Department on Saturday expressed concern over posting of an officer of the provincial management service as additional inspector general of prisons by ignoring the experienced and trained senior officers of the department.

A number of prison officers at a meeting termed the appointment of a non-prison cadre officer of BS-18 as the Ad IG Prisons injustice, saying there are two officers of BS-19 and 13 BS-18 prison service officers available within the department.

“The officers of the department possess extensive experience in prison management, security management, and the criminal justice system while officers of PMS have no such experience,” said the prison officers in a statement after a meeting. It said the formation of an association of prison officers was also on the cards. The press release said that the officers had no other option but to highlight the potential negative impact of the posting of AdIG on the morale of prison officers across the province.

“The appointment of a non-prison officer having no training or background of security management, counter-terrorism and rehabilitation of dangerous prisoners to such a critical position undermines the uniformed service discipline, prisons management and the career progression of dedicated prison cadre officers,” it added.

The officers said this disregard for the expertise and experience within the department was not only demoralising but also raises concerns about the future of professional development and advancement opportunities within the prison service.

“The prisons of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa face significant and ongoing threats from terrorism. The safety and security of both inmates and prison staff are paramount, and the role of the additional inspector general is crucial in ensuring security management and effective counter-terrorism measures,” said the communique.

“The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Prisons Service is already under the oversight of the Provincial Home & Tribal Affairs Department. Even so, the posting of PMS officers to positions that are exclusively within the prison service undermines the career prospects of prison officers and will negatively affect institutional development. No such postings are happening in the prisons departments of any other province across Pakistan,” it claimed.

The officers urged upon the provincial government and Peshawar High Court to reconsider the posting of Ad IG in light of the experienced officers available within the prison cadre.