Attock Jail Superintendent Arrested Over Alleged Bribe Offer to Punjab Prisons IG
RAWALPINDI, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Attock District Jail Superintendent Imran Barth has been arrested in an alleged bribery case after authorities accused him of attempting to offer money to Punjab Inspector General of Prisons Mian Salik Jalal.
The incident occurred at around 10pm on October 5, when the jail superintendent visited the prisons chief at his residence.
The meeting initially focused on security, safety and other administrative matters concerning Attock District Jail.
After the discussion ended, the superintendent left the residence but returned approximately two minutes later, saying he wanted to discuss an important matter.
When the prisons chief returned to the drawing room, the superintendent allegedly placed an envelope containing cash directly on his table.
The prisons chief refused to accept the money and immediately informed the Punjab Home Secretary about the incident.
The Anti-Corruption Establishment Punjab was subsequently contacted for action.
Anti-corruption officials arrived and arrested the Attock jail superintendent with the alleged cash envelope.
Further legal proceedings and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged bribe are now underway.
The case comes amid an intensified anti-corruption campaign across Punjab’s government departments.
The provincial administration has recently directed departments to take strict action against public officials suspected of corruption, bribery or misuse of authority.
The Punjab government has previously announced disciplinary proceedings, suspensions, dismissals and arrests involving officials from several departments as part of the campaign.
Punjab’s Anti-Corruption Establishment uses investigations and trap operations as part of its enforcement framework in bribery cases.
Punjab Inspector General of Prisons Mian Salik Jalal reiterated a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption, bribery and abuse of authority within the prisons department.
He said officers and employees would not be treated as being above the law because of their rank or position.
The arrest represents an allegation and does not itself establish criminal guilt.
Investigators will now examine the circumstances of the alleged payment and determine whether further legal or departmental action is warranted.
No court ruling establishing the superintendent’s guilt in the alleged bribery case had been reported at the time of publication.
