ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has issued firm directions for the completion of the Islamabad Model Jail by June 30, 2026, warning that no further delays will be tolerated in the execution of this major public sector project. The directive was issued during a meeting of the Justice Committee for the Islamabad Capital Territory chaired by Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar at the IHC on Thursday.
Officials from the office of the Chief Commissioner ICT briefed the committee on the project’s progress, reporting that 85 percent of physical construction has been completed while the remaining financial work stands at 15 percent. The project is currently in its final phase, with authorities confirming that the completion deadline remains June 30, 2026.
Expressing concern over any possible delays, the chief justice directed relevant departments to accelerate the remaining construction work. He stressed that all logistical arrangements, including recruitment, deployment, and training of jail staff, must be completed simultaneously to ensure the smooth transfer of prisoners from July 1, 2026.
To address financial and administrative hurdles, the chief justice instructed the Secretary Interior to coordinate closely with the Secretary Finance. It was also decided that the finance secretary will attend the next meeting of the Justice Committee to ensure timely approvals and availability of required resources.
The Islamabad Model Jail is a central component of the National Prison Reform Action Plan, aimed at modernising prison infrastructure, improving inmate welfare, strengthening rehabilitation systems, and ensuring compliance with human rights standards. A consolidated report submitted by the Jail Reform Sub Committee was discussed and acknowledged as a comprehensive roadmap for prison reforms.
The committee also reviewed the law and order situation in Islamabad, with the chief justice expressing serious concern over rising crime, particularly theft, road accidents, and sexual assault cases. He emphasised professional investigations, timely forensic reporting in rape cases, and enhanced training for investigating officers. The meeting further reviewed the Safe City surveillance system and ongoing installation of AI based cameras to strengthen crime detection and public security across the federal capital.
