Jail turns warzone, streets locked down, and a mother brings her fugitive son back—Karachi reels after the biggest prison break in recent memory.
Karachi witnessed utter chaos as 216 prisoners staged a dramatic escape from District Jail Malir — aka “Bacha Jail” — late Monday night amid tremors and gunfire.
The jailbreak unfolded during a wave of confusion reportedly triggered by earthquake shocks. Over 600 inmates had been brought out of their barracks when a violent standoff erupted, with prisoners overpowering jail staff in what officials described as a “battlefield-like” riot.
Explosive gunfire echoed across Malir, paralyzing nearby neighborhoods. Roads, including the National Highway, were sealed as Rangers and police launched massive raids to recapture the escapees.
SSP Malir Kashif Aftab confirmed over 80 prisoners have been rearrested while 135+ are still at large. Nine suspected facilitators are also in custody.
In a stunning twist, one woman walked her escaped son back to the jail voluntarily.
Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar has ordered an urgent inquiry, calling it a “shameful security lapse” — not due to a wall breach, but because 800+ inmates were out of their cells when chaos erupted.
Authorities are probing the potential link between the jailbreak and the tremors, while public outrage grows over jail management failures.
Karachi’s biggest prison break in years has not only exposed deep flaws in the system — it’s sent shockwaves across the nation.
