A massive manhunt is underway in Karachi after 213 prisoners escaped from Malir Jail during an earthquake evacuation. The incident happened early Tuesday as tremors forced jail authorities to move inmates out of their barracks for safety. Amid the chaos, hundreds gathered near the main gate and over 200 managed to flee.
Superintendent Arshad Shah confirmed that inmates from Circles No. 4 and 5 were outside their cells when panic set in. “More than 600 inmates were out, and 213 fled in the confusion,” he said. During the escape, one prisoner died and several security personnel were injured.
Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar called it one of the most serious jailbreaks in recent years. He said nearly 100 inmates forced open the main gate. Raids are ongoing, and 80 prisoners have been recaptured. Over 130 remain at large.
Government Responds, Blames Lax Security
Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon visited the jail and said most escapees were minor offenders or had drug-related cases. “There is no sign of pre-planned escape,” he noted. He praised police and Rangers for swiftly securing the facility again.
Lanjar dismissed rumors of wall collapse and blamed staff negligence instead. “The gate was forced open, not the walls,” he said. A formal inquiry committee is being formed, and action will be taken against negligent staff.
Sindh Prisons IG Qazi Nazir said that repeated tremors caused structural cracks, leading to panic. “Prisoners broke the latch of the main gate and damaged several areas, including the IT room,” he added. Bullet shells, shattered glass, and vandalized rooms show the scale of chaos.
Interestingly, in a rare move, the mother of an escaped inmate returned her son voluntarily. “He told me he fled in fear, so I walked him back to jail,” she told reporters.
Security Tightened, Families Await Updates
Police, Rangers, Frontier Corps, SSU, and RRF launched a joint operation to recapture fugitives. Over 79 have been arrested so far, including one from New Karachi facing drug and weapons charges.
Security has been tightened around Shah Latif Town, Quaidabad, and nearby slums. Families of prisoners gathered outside Malir Jail seeking information. A list of escapees has been released to the public.
Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah expressed displeasure over the decision to bring prisoners out during tremors. “This wasn’t the right move,” he said. He warned escaped inmates to return or face severe charges, including terrorism.
The CM has called an emergency meeting with top security officials. Authorities are now considering building a new jail on 850 acres of land in Bin Qasim.
As the city recovers from the tremors, Karachi now faces a new crisis — keeping its prisoners behind bars.