Lahore, Nov.27 (ANI): Its not all that bad to be a prisoner in Pakistan, as one can enjoy sumptuous meals consisting chicken and farm fresh milk while in custody.

There may be overcrowding in Pakistani jails, but there is no lack of quality food for the prisoners there.

Officials admitted that there are numerous problems that prisoners face in jails across the country due to overcrowding and deplorable living conditions, but highlighted that there is no dearth of ‘quality’ food for the inmates.

“Prisoners are getting quality food including fresh chicken, beef, eggs and milk and there is no problem for them except overcrowding in the barracks,” Deputy Inspector Prisons (Punjab) Salik Jalal said.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government has decided to construct two high-security prisons in District Sahiwal and District Mianwali for terrorists.

Family rooms are also being constructed in four jails across the province for long term convicts.

The convicts would be allowed to spend some days with their wives and children in these family rooms, which are being constructed in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail, Central Jail Faisalabad, Central Jail Rawalpindi and Multan

“The small quarters each comprising one room, a kitchen and a bathroom will offer to lodging to children below six or wife of a convict to spend three days with him in privacy,” The Nation quoted sources, as saying.

It may be noted that Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail has also acquired 87 acres of land to build family suites for married prisoners in compliance with a decision of Federal Shariat Court (FSC) that married prisoners can maintain contacts with their spouses.

Jail Superintendent Saeedullah Gondal said acknowledgment of fundamental rights of prisoners would be beneficial to eliminate the old jail culture.

He said Adiala Jail authorities had acquired 87-acres of land and the Punjab government would provide funds to build family suites,and separate jails for women and juvenile prisoners.

Gondal said the jail authorities were in favour of providing conjugal rights to married prisoners because it would have a positive impact on their personalities.

He said the prisoners were being provided food according to a special diet program. (ANI)