There have been numerous incidents of torture and custodial deaths in the country in recent years, owing to the mistreatment and in most cases, torture, of prisoners held under police custody, who are in most cases unlawfully held. The infamous case of Naqeebullah Mehsud’s extrajudicial killing still haunts the public conscience. The death of Salahuddin Ayubi at the hands of law enforcement agencies and the more recent incident of police brutality towards Rafiullah alias Amir of Tehkal are just a few examples of torture and custodial deaths that reach public attention. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) recorded twenty cases of custodial death in 2019 that were highlighted by the media. According to the HRCP, numerous other cases go unreported. A very recent case occurred less that ten days ago in Sanghar, reported by Dawn on 10th July, 2020.
PILAP has brought this critical matter to the attention of the Ministry of Human Rights and has requested fast-tracking the bill on torture and custodial deaths which has been pending before Parliament.
