A report has raised concerns about alleged paid WhatsApp calls from Karachi’s Central Jail, claiming that inmates were charged substantial amounts to communicate with people outside the prison.
According to the report, a call lasting just three minutes allegedly cost as much as Rs. 250,000, while other payments reportedly ranged from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 250,000.
The report alleges that these calls were arranged to allow prisoners to communicate with their family members, lawyers, and friends.
Sources cited in the report claim that the calls were made using the jail facility’s Wi-Fi, as mobile networks are reportedly unavailable inside the prison.
The allegations have drawn attention to how such communications could be facilitated within a restricted correctional facility.
The reported payments have also raised questions about prison security, oversight, and whether certain inmates may have access to privileges that are not equally available to others.
If established, the allegations could prompt further scrutiny of communication procedures and the mechanisms used to monitor access to digital services inside the facility.
However, the claims have not been independently verified, and no conclusion can be drawn about the individuals involved or the circumstances surrounding the alleged payments. Further investigation and an official response would be needed to establish the facts.
The report has renewed discussion about transparency and accountability in Pakistan’s prison system, particularly regarding inmates’ access to communication facilities and the safeguards in place to prevent their misuse.
