The Balochistan government has approved the construction of a separate juvenile jail in Quetta to ensure safe custody, rehabilitation, and skill-development of underage offenders — a major step toward modernizing the province’s correctional system.
Government to Construct Dedicated Juvenile Facility
The provincial Prison Department confirmed that a dedicated juvenile prison will be established in Quetta, designed to keep young offenders separate from adult criminals and provide an environment focused on reform and education.
Officials said the project will cost Rs 750 million, with construction work set to begin soon. A temporary juvenile facility will initially be set up on Sariab Road, where underage inmates will be shifted until the new building is complete.
The upcoming model juvenile jail will include:
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A school
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Vocational training center
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Modern rehabilitation facilities
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Safe and monitored environment for minors
The permanent facility will be constructed near Central Jail Quetta, equipped with updated security and educational infrastructure.
PMYP & UNOCT Launch Juvenile Rehabilitation Program in Quetta
In a parallel development, the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), in collaboration with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), has launched a rehabilitation project for juvenile inmates at Quetta District Jail.
The initiative, identified during the UN-PMYP Needs Assessment Conference in Islamabad (May 2015), aims to equip young offenders with marketable skills and reintegrate them into society as constructive citizens.
As part of the pilot program:
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Juveniles are receiving training in Motorcycle Mechanics and Tailoring
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Training equipment and materials have been provided by UNOCT
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Balochistan TEVTA has deployed expert instructors
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Trainees will receive official certificates upon completion of the three-month program
PMYP Chairperson Leila Khan said it is the first initiative of its kind in Pakistan’s history. Similar rehabilitation trainings are already underway in Haripur Prison and will soon expand to Hyderabad and Mardan prisons.
Why This Matters
This initiative marks a significant shift in Balochistan’s correctional approach — focusing on reform, education, and skills, rather than traditional incarceration. The goal is to transform juvenile offenders into productive citizens and reduce long-term crime and radicalization risks.
