SEMINAR ON POLICE TORTURE IN PAKISTAN

The Institute for Peace and Secular Studies organized a Seminar on Police Torture in Pakistan where findings from a research report, to be published next month, were shared. The seminar was held at the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Lahore and was presided over by Mr. Hussain Naqi. The participants included Mr. I.A. Rehman, Mr. Justice (Retd.) Muhammad Akram Qureshi, Additional Sessions Judges Mr. Khalid Mahmood Bhatti and Mr. Anjum Raza Syed, Mr. Sarmad Saeed, Additonal Inspector General of Police, RPO Sheikhupura, Mr. Zulfiqar Cheema, Mr. S.M. Masood, Former Law Minister along with several senior advocates, activists and law students.

Maryam Arif, J.D. presented findings from her research report on police torture. She said that while Pakistan is a signatory to the United Nations Convention Against Torture, there is not enough awareness about the issue. Her study shows that there is no co-relation between the level of education and awareness about either UNCAT or reporting mechanisms of torture. This is true for both the police and the public.