In an unprecedented jailbreak, over 200 prisoners escaped from Karachi's Malir Jail on June 3, 2025, following tremors caused by an earthquake. The chaos began when the prison staff initiated emergency evacuation protocols due to seismic activity. Amid the confusion, inmates overpowered guards, seized weapons, and fled in large numbers.

Initial reports confirm that 216 prisoners escaped , sparking panic and a major manhunt. As of the next day, 78 escapees had been recaptured. A gunfire exchange during the breakout resulted in the death of one inmate and injuries to several security personnel.

Officials have clarified that none of the escapees were convicted militants. However, the incident highlights deep flaws in prison security and disaster readiness. Malir Jail, already severely overcrowded, was housing over 4,000 inmates in a space meant for less than half that number.

The Sindh government has launched a high-level investigation, while civil society voices are raising serious concerns about prison infrastructure, overcrowding, and emergency preparedness in Pakistan's correctional facilities.