Over 200 Inmates Escape Karachi Jail After Quake

Over 200 inmates escaped from Karachi's Malir Jail late Monday night after earthquake tremors led to a chaotic evacuation and a violent breakout. Prisoners overpowered guards, seized weapons, and forced open the main gate following a shootout that resulted in one inmate dead and three guards injured. Police and paramilitary forces have recaptured about 80-90 escapees, but more than 130 remain at large, prompting intensive manhunts and nearby road closures. The Sindh Chief Minister has dismissed top prison officials for gross negligence and ordered a comprehensive security audit of all provincial prisons. Most escapees were minor offenders, and the government is offering reduced sentences for those who return voluntarily, while warning of anti-terrorism charges for those apprehended by force. The incident is among the largest jailbreaks in Pakistan’s history and highlights major shortcomings in prison management and emergency protocols.