Earthquake in Pakistan: More than 200 prisoners at Karachi’s Malir Jail exploited the confusion caused by the earthquake to gain their parole, truly putting the proverb “aapada mein avsar”, turning tragedy into opportunity, into practice. On Monday night, the earth trembled in eastern Karachi, and the security at Malir Jail shook along with it. Numerous prisoners seized this rare opportunity. Many of these convicts, charged with drug-related offenses, also struggle with psychiatric issues.

Jail Superintendent Arshad Shah informed the media on Thursday morning that “at least 216 inmates fled” while the jail administration focused on evacuations prompted by the earthquake. The chaos resulted in injuries to several inmates and jail employees, and one inmate died. Since Sunday, Karachi has experienced sixteen minor earthquakes, with many centered near Malir.

Late Monday night, two consecutive minor tremors measuring 2.6 and 2.8 on the Richter scale struck about 40 kilometers northeast of Malir. According to the media report, social media videos showed detainees running along nearby roads, while other footage captured intense gunfire sounds reportedly coming from areas close to Malir Prison.

216 Prisoners Escaped:

Jail Superintendent Shah evacuated inmates from Circles 4 and 5 as a precaution after the earthquake triggered the jailbreak. At that time, nearly 600 inmates were outside their cells. Shah told local media, “216 inmates managed to escape amid the chaos.” He noted that authorities still search for more than 135 inmates who remain at large. Initially, authorities informed one of the Karachi-based newspapers that inmates broke through the jail’s exterior wall, which multiple low-intensity shocks had weakened.

Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar stated in a media broadcast that the escape occurred when 700 to 1,000 prisoners gathered near the main entrance during the evacuation. About 100 inmates broke through the fence and fled amid the confusion. Sources describe this event as one of the worst jailbreaks in recent memory.

One Inmate Dead in Chaos:

He also suggested that staff carelessness might have contributed to the situation and announced that a committee, consisting of law enforcement and representatives from other agencies, would investigate the incident.

During his visit to the prison, Sindh Inspector General Ghulam Nabi Memon informed the media that Malir Jail houses a large number of prisoners accused of drug-related offenses, many of whom suffer from psychiatric issues. Rescue teams and jail officials reported to the media that one convict died and that three Frontier Corps members, along with one jail employee sustained injuries amid the chaos.

Siraj, one of the captured prisoners, told reporters that the prison descended into terror as the earthquake shook the facility. According to sources, “Everyone started breaking down gates as soon as the earthquake struck. Many escaped. After fleeing, I went into hiding because I was involved in a firearms case.”

Share

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•