Two prominent leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Raja Azhar and Faheem Khan, have escalated their legal battle by approaching the Sindh High Court (SHC) to demand the registration of a case against police officers accused of torturing them while in custody in Karachi. This move comes after their initial plea was dismissed by a lower court, which had relied on police reports to reject their request.
The petition, filed as a criminal miscellaneous application, highlights serious allegations made by the PTI leaders regarding their treatment at the hands of law enforcement officials. Their legal counsel, Muneeb Khattak Advocate, presented the case before the SHC, emphasizing that both Raja Azhar and Faheem Khan were forcibly taken from their residence in Mehran Town, Korangi area of Karachi, on February 8. The petitioners claim that during their detention, they endured severe physical and psychological torture, acts that are clearly prohibited under Pakistani law.
It is important to note that the initial attempt to register a formal case against the police officers involved was thwarted when a lower court dismissed the application, citing the police’s own report which denied any wrongdoing. Despite this setback, the PTI leaders have persisted in seeking justice through higher judicial intervention. The petition specifically names high-ranking police officials, including the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) East, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Korangi, the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), along with other relevant officers, holding them accountable for the alleged misconduct.
This development unfolds amid growing concerns over police conduct and custodial torture in Karachi, a city that has witnessed numerous such allegations in recent years. Human rights advocates have repeatedly called for greater transparency and accountability within the police force, highlighting the need for judicial oversight to prevent abuse of power. The Sindh High Court’s response to this petition will be closely watched as it could set a precedent for how cases of alleged police brutality are handled in the province.
The court is expected to schedule a hearing on the matter soon, where the petitioners will present their case in detail. Meanwhile, the PTI leadership and their supporters are closely monitoring the situation, viewing this legal challenge as part of a broader struggle against what they describe as politically motivated harassment and intimidation by law enforcement agencies. This case not only raises questions about the treatment of political figures but also touches on the larger issue of human rights protections in Pakistan’s law enforcement system.
