MIANWALI: After Punjab Culture Minister Azma Bokhari took notice of the police torture of the young folk singer Rehman Ali, the district police has reportedly managed to get a video statement by the singer in their favour.

Daud Khel police in district Mianwali had raided a marriage function at village Gullen Khel where the singer was performing, thrashed him and took him into custody two days back. Multiple videos of the incident had shown the policemen thrashing the singer and pushing him around at the function venue.

The police said they had raided the function over violation of Section 144 for Punjab Sound Systems (Regulations) Act. The function was disrupted and people ran helter-skelter but the police overpowered Rehman Ali on the stage and mercilessly thrashed him. The minister had taken notice of the incident on seeing the video viral on social media. She termed the incident deeply unfortunate, condemnable, and unacceptable. According to a government handout, Ms Bokhari made it clear that an immediate and transparent investigation would be conducted, and if negligence or abuse of authority by any official was proven, strict action would be taken against those responsible in accordance with the law. The district police officer Mianwali had called the singer to his office and issued a clarification, saying the incident was mishandled by police.

As per police press release, Daud Khel police had settled the issue by reaching a compromise with Rehman Ali .The district police office had posted a statement of the singer on social media, saying that the incident had taken place due to misunderstanding The singer said he was unaware about the violation of the Section 144.

It is interesting to note that after going viral on social media, the DPO Mianwali had appointed DSP Daud Khel as inquiry officer to probe the matter. After the compromise, it seems no police official would be penalized for the torture.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2025