ISLAMABAD, April 12: A newly established building of Tarnol police station along G. T. Road was declared ‘city jail’ on temporary basis till the construction of a proper prison in Sector H-16, sources close to the development told Dawn.

In response to the directives issued by the Interior Minister Rehman Malik on March 31 to establish a jail in capital city within four weeks, Chief Commissioner Islamabad Tariq Mehmood Pirzada issued the notification.

The four-storey building comprising 60 rooms is nearing completion. However, work regarding electric-wiring and finishing is in progress.

Some senior police officers showed concern over the development and said it was unsuitable locality and structure to detain under-trial or convicted prisoners as it was surrounded by residential and commercial areas.

Earlier, in 2009 also the interior ministry had declared the 20 rooms of Ramna police station building as temporary prison for the capital which was later de-notified.

Despite making several attempts, the chief commissioner was not available for comments.—Munawer Azeem