June 27, 2025
By Aitzaz Ibrahim
LAHORE
To mark the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) organized a public session in Lahore, bringing together lawyers, human rights defenders, civil society members, and concerned citizens to highlight the urgent need for structural reform and justice for victims of torture in Pakistan.
The session featured prominent speakers, including Hina Jilani, renowned human rights lawyer and former Chairperson of HRCP; Asad Jamal, a legal expert and human rights advocate; and Fatima Bokhari, Chief Executive of the Musawi Foundation. Together, they reflected on the continuing prevalence of torture in Pakistan and the gaps in both law and institutional accountability that allow such practices to persist.
Addressing participants at the session, Hina Jilani stressed that the issue of torture in Pakistan is not due to a lack of laws, but a failure to implement them.
“We have laws in place, but there is no serious will to enforce them. Many law enforcement institutions continue to act with impunity,” she said. She also emphasized the role of the judiciary in setting stronger precedents and called for greater sensitivity within the justice system when dealing with torture-related cases.
In an interview with Voicepk , Jilani also discussed shortcomings in the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act 2022, which was enacted to criminalize torture and custodial abuse in Pakistan. “There are serious flaws in the Act, which make its implementation challenging,” she noted, urging lawmakers and rights organizations to press for necessary amendments and proper enforcement.
Speaking on the broader challenges facing victims, Fatima Bokhari highlighted the damaging effect of legal threats that penalize “false complaints.”
According to Bokhari, “Victims often choose silence out of fear of being punished for a so-called false allegation. This culture of fear must end if we want justice to be accessible.” She called for investment in professional training for investigators, stronger institutional oversight, and improved infrastructure to deal with cases of torture effectively.
Asad Jamal echoed similar concerns, pointing out that policy reforms alone are not enough to curb torture. “We must confront the culture of torture that exists within policing and security forces. Accountability cannot be cosmetic—it has to be real, consistent, and enforceable,” he said.
The session also featured active engagement from attendees, many of whom raised critical questions during the concluding question-and-answer segment. Participants voiced concerns over the lack of convictions in torture cases, the misuse of power by law enforcement agencies, and the weak protection mechanisms for victims and whistleblowers.
Throughout the discussion, the need for institutional reform, legal clarity, and public awareness was repeatedly stressed. Speakers urged that civil society, media, and legal bodies must work together to create an environment where torture is not tolerated and where victims are heard, protected, and given justice.
The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, observed globally on June 26, was established by the United Nations to call for the eradication of torture in all forms and to support victims in their healing and access to justice.
Despite Pakistan being a signatory to the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT), enforcement remains weak, and cases of custodial abuse continue to surface, highlighting the importance of events such as these.