Prison Escape in Pakistan: Over 216 Inmates Break Free After Earthquake, Attacking Guards and Fleeing
Breaking News: Over 100 Inmates on the Run After Massive Karachi Prison Break
A chaotic prison break occurred at the Malir District Prison in Pakistan's bustling city of Karachi, following a chain of mild earthquakes, leaving more than 130 inmates still at large.
The events unfolded on the night of June 2nd, 2025. The inmates, scared and restless due to the seismic tremors, seized the opportunity to escape while being temporarily relocated from their cells for safety. In the ensuing commotion, one inmate was killed, and three security personnel were injured in a violent confrontation.
With only 83 recaptured, the authorities are now on a manhunt for the remaining escapees. The incident, regarded as one of the largest prison breaks in Pakistan's history, has sparked concerns over the country's prison security and infrastructure, particularly at Malir District Jail, which, despite its capacity for roughly 1,591 inmates, was housing over 4,000 at the time[4].
While the majority of inmates were common criminals, none of the escaped prisoners were convicted fighters[2]. The provincial prisons chief, the deputy inspector general of prisons, and the superintendent of the Malir District Prison have since been suspended in the aftermath of this incident[1].
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah stated that the prison break was indeed one of the largest ever in the country[3]. The authorities remain vigilant, doing their best to recapture the remaining fugitives and prevent a repeat of such a distressing event.
Stay tuned for more updates as events unfold. If you're concerned about the state of Pakistan's prison system, sign up for Al Jazeera to stay informed on this issue and others.
[1] Al Jazeera English, 2025. Prison Break in Karachi Leaves Over 130 Inmates Missing. [Online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/4/prison-break-in-karachi-leaves-over-130-inmates-missing
[2] AP News, 2025. At Least 130 Prisoners Still Missing After Pakistan Jailbreak. [Online] Available at: https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-crime-asia-1e8ffd7ad98b2524f7cfad72c90c222b
[3] Reuters, 2025. Largest Ever Pakistan Prison Break Occurs in Karachi. [Online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia/largest-ever-pakistan-prison-break-occurs-karachi-2025-06-04/
[4] Dawn, 2021. Overcrowding Major Challenge Facing Karachi's Prisons: Officials. [Online] Available at: https://www.dawn.com/news/1628889
The breaking news about the Karachi prison break has sent shockwaves through the nation, with concerns escalating regarding the country's prison security and infrastructure. Amidst this chaos, the war on crime-and-justice takes a serious turn as more than 130 inmates remain at large, creating a volatile general-news scenario.
