ISLAMABAD: Five police officials allegedly involved in detaining and torturing two teenagers will be dismissed from service in “two to three” days, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sajid Kiani told the Senate Committee on Human Rights on Tuesday.

Condemning the incident, Mr Kiani said: “A wrong has been committed. The five police officials, including two station house officers, have been suspended. Show cause notices have been issued to the police officials for torturing the boys. The five police personnel will be dismissed from service in two to three days.”

The committee met to discuss the case of Zohaib Khan, 15, and Asfandyar Abbasi, 18, who were detained by the police on the night of Feb 14 for 18 hours and physically assaulted.

Tayyaba’s case could head toward denial of justice, activists tell Senate body

The committee was informed that the police claimed to have found a toy gun from the boys, and tortured them to exhort confessions.

The committee chairman commended the action taken against the five officials, and said the police report on the incident would be submitted in the Senate.

Activists speak on child maid’s abuse

Human rights activists at the meeting alleged that the case of Tayyaba, a 10 year old who was employed in the home of an additional district and sessions judge (ADSJ) and allegedly abused, was headed towards the denial of justice.

Activist Valerie Khan brought to the committee’s notice what she called a “conflict” in the way the Supreme Court conducted Tayyaba’s case, and the way the sessions court is proceeding on it.

In December last year, the police recovered Tayyaba from the home of ADSJ Raja Khurram Ali Khan, where she was allegedly abused. The child bore scars on her face and hands, and said she was beaten and burnt for several months.

The committee chairman, Mohammad Mohsin Khan Leghari, said the committee could not discuss Tayyaba’s case since it is sub judice, but allowed human rights activists the chance to speak.

Activist Tahira Abdullah said: “The perpetrators could go unpunished and we would like the Senate Committee on Human Rights to ensure a miscarriage of justice does not happen.”

The activists also urged the government to declare child domestic labour under the 1991 Child Employment Act.

“In the last month alone, five cases have been registered from across Pakistan where child labourers were burnt with hot tea, milk and iron rods. It is imperative to criminalise such offences and implement the law to stop the torture of children,” Ms Khan said.

Referring to Tayyaba’s case, Ms Khan said the police have levelled minor charges against the ADSJ.

“Tayyaba’s wounds suggest the child was brutally tortured, and should be punishable with non-compoundable and non-bailable offences,” she added.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2017