ISLAMABAD (PEN) : At least 216 prisoners escaped from Malir Jail late Monday night amid widespread confusion triggered by a series of earthquakes in Karachi, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
According to Jail Superintendent Arshad Shah, the escape occurred when inmates from Circles No. 4 and 5 were evacuated from their barracks as a safety measure during the tremors. “More than 600 prisoners were outside their cells at the time. Amid the chaos, 216 managed to flee,” Shah told reporters. Over 80 escapees have since been recaptured, while more than 135 remain at large.
Sindh Home Minister Calls Situation “Serious”
Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar called the incident “one of the most serious jailbreaks in recent years.” He said the prisoners took advantage of the confusion when 700 to 1,000 inmates gathered near the main gate during the evacuation. “About 46 have been caught, and we expect the rest will be rearrested soon,” Lanjar said during a media briefing in the early hours of Tuesday.
Lanjar clarified that while initial reports suggested structural damage to the jail, further inspection revealed the inmates had escaped through the main gate, not from any collapsed wall. He also stated that the escaped prisoners have been identified and that “targeted raids are underway at their residences and adjoining areas.”
The minister also confirmed that a high-level committee including police and other agency officials would investigate possible staff negligence. “Strict disciplinary action will be taken against those found responsible,” he added.
Law Enforcement Responds Swiftly
Inspector General Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon said many of the inmates at Malir Jail were involved in drug-related crimes and suffered from psychological issues. “Such individuals are usually easy to track and recapture,” he noted, while praising police and Rangers for their rapid response.
The IG ruled out any pre-planned jailbreak and emphasized that a full investigation would determine the cause and lapses. A coordinated manhunt led by police, Rangers, Frontier Corps, the Special Security Unit (SSU), and the Rapid Response Force (RRF) has been launched to recover the fugitives.
Three Frontier Corps personnel and one jail official sustained injuries during the incident, and one inmate reportedly died in the chaos.
Prison Conditions and Aftermath
Sindh Prisons Minister Ali Hassan and IG Prisons Qazi Nazir visited the facility following the jailbreak. Officials stated that Malir Jail was housing 6,022 inmates at the time. Cases will be filed against all escapees under relevant legal provisions.
One of the recaptured prisoners, Siraj, told the media, “When the quake hit, everyone started breaking the gates. Many ran off. I was arrested in a weapons case and went into hiding after escaping.”
The jailbreak comes as Karachi continues to experience frequent seismic activity, compounding public concern and placing pressure on emergency services.
