NAROWAL: An additional district and sessions judge has ordered registration of a first information report against six police officers, including a sub-inspector and an assistant sub-inspector, for the alleged sexual assault and torture of a woman in Sialkot.

Complainant ‘M’, a resident of Jinnah Gate, Pasrur, had moved the court seeking registration of a case against policemen of Pasrur City police station.

In her complaint, she alleged that on the night of June 24-25, 2024, several police officers, including SI Shabbir Anwar Cheema, ASI Ansir Ijaz, constable Ehsan Ali, and three unidentified officials, forcibly entered her home and demanded that she withdraw a complaint filed against them.

The complainant said when she refused to comply, the officials verbally threatened her, and ASI Ansir Ejaz allegedly put a gun to her head, threatening to shoot if she did not withdraw her complaint. She further alleged that SI Shabbir Anwar Cheema then forcibly assaulted her while the ASI and constable took pictures and recorded videos of the assault.

She also claimed that on May 1, 2024, Cheema and eight other policemen had forcibly entered her home, seized cash, her vehicle, other valuables, and detained her son. She later recovered her son after filing an application in court, which ordered his release.

Following a review of the complaint, AD&SJ Shahid Munir directed the Pasrur City station house officer to take strict legal action against the policemen.

Responding to the court order, police spokesman Malik Waqas Ali alleged that complainant’s husband Abdul Ghafoor is a known criminal with a record of involvement in drug-related and other serious offences.

He said inquiries had been conducted regarding the complainant across various platforms, including the police department and human rights organisations and assured that action will be taken in accordance with the law upon receipt of the court’s orders.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Stirring trouble
Updated 08 Dec, 2024

Stirring trouble

The demands put forth this time are simple and doable at little political cost.
Unfairness in cricket
08 Dec, 2024

Unfairness in cricket

HOPES that cricketing ties between Pakistan and India would be strengthened by the latter team’s visit across the...
Syria rebel advance
08 Dec, 2024

Syria rebel advance

CITY after city in Syria is falling into rebel hands as Bashar al-Assad’s government looks increasingly vulnerable...
Threat perception
Updated 07 Dec, 2024

Threat perception

Despite clear proof of the threat posed by malign armed actors, the military and civilian leadership prefers to focus on political opponents.
Humanity at risk
07 Dec, 2024

Humanity at risk

HUMAN trafficking continues to remain an area where the state has utterly failed its citizens. While global...
Banks and larger goals
07 Dec, 2024

Banks and larger goals

THAT banks in Pakistan “prioritise profit over purpose” and promote financial products with limited knowledge of...