RECENTLY, we had an awful interaction with Islamabad police. On Sept 30, personnel of the recently launched Eagle Squad were deployed for snap checking near Faisal Mosque. The demeanour of personnel during the checking was lamentable as they were trying their best to humiliate the citizens and mistreat them for absolutely no reason. Even those in possession of all the legally required documents were not spared. The same is the situation at Margalla police station where policemen of lower ranks misbehave seemingly as a matter of some strange policy.

Globally, the accused is considered innocent until proven guilty and has the right to fair, humane and dignified treatment, no matter how heinous the crime one is accused of. But the Islamabad police have apparently not come out of their colonial mindset that is reflected in the disrespectful behaviour of their personnel in police stations and on check posts.

The newly established, and supposedly civilised, squads and departments are also adhering to old, uncivilised tradi-tions. The relevant authorities would do well to train the police officers to treat people in a dignified and humane manner.

Name withheld on request
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2022