By: Asem Mustafa Awan
Finally, a ray of hope has emerged in a system that is a quagmire of corruption and incompetency. The Upper House (Senate) of Pakistan passed a bill that any custodial killing will be deemed punishable with ten years imprisonment added with a fine of Rs 2 million.
Land of the pure has countless cases where not hundreds but thousands have died in police custody and their heirs have run from pillar to post to get justice.
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s complaint portal should give out the statistics as to how many of the complaints in millions have been against police brutalities and what was done in redressing their grievances.
How many have died in police custody in current regime, the list goes on and on, while the preceding regimes with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan People Party there were people who were serial killers and murderers wearing uniform.
These ‘murderers’ wearing the uniform go on rampage against innocent civilians who were gunned down at police pickets and in fake encounters.
Not long ago, Osama Satti was murdered in the federal capital. Police claimed that the ‘deceased’ fired on them while the heirs of Osama state otherwise.
This is no secret that dealing with police if turned sour can result in one either becoming a ‘terrorist’ or a ‘noted dacoit’ having head money announced by the government. This is the case if one stays alive to face the judge. The worst-case scenario has the person (dead body) either carrying arms or was in possession of drugs which the ‘model police’ stopped and nipped the evil in the bud.
All cities in Pakistan have a story and more of these killers who for their lust for blood, killed innocent people for nothing and went on their ways without any remorse and without any punishment.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has pointed it time and again that social justice forms the very key of national development and it is but this very department that thwarts ‘his dream’ which is the key for the national uplift.
Prime Minister Imran Khan must seek a report from the respective Inspector Generals of Police in all the provinces to get the list of the police officials who have criminal cases and are accused of gross misconduct.
This list of the black sheep in the department never see the daylight and it is believed that majority of the force which has taken the shape of ‘brutal bully’ has become incorrigible.
Many dead bodies paved the way for the law that is passed in the Senate but the question remains will National Assembly do the same so that there is a hope for the innocent.
Abid Boxer the famed encounter specialist from Punjab Police has a count that can put any serial killer to shame. Police patrolling at night wears no identification and kills as it pleases.
There should be IDs attached with these public servants who thrive on public money and suck their life out of them.
The writer is Special Correspondent at ‘The Dayspring’