Sometimes, when we look closely at what is happening around us, it feels as if we are living in a police state, a place where:
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The police register cases
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The police make arrests
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The police conduct encounters
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The police decide guilt
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And the police even justify their own actions
But when we step into the courts, we are reminded of an important truth:
Courts still exist to restrain police excesses.
Lawyers still exist to stand between power and oppression.
The Case of Anis: A Story of Custodial Torture
Anis, son of Wasim, was subjected to a police raid at his home. The police were allegedly searching for Anis son of Akhtar.
Anis clearly stated:
“I am Anis son of Wasim, not Anis son of Akhtar.”
This simple clarification became the reason for brutal torture.
When Anis’s uncles, Nadeem and Naim, intervened and requested the police to stop beating him, they too were tortured.
This was not resistance.
This was not violence.
This was custodial torture.
Evidence Written on the Body
The injuries speak louder than words:
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Broken arm
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Bruises across the body
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Visible signs of assault
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Even elderly family members, senior citizens with no criminal history, were not spared
There is hardly a part of the body without marks of violence.
This is not policing.
This is terror inside custody.
Justice Before the Magistrate
Then, Alhamdulillah, when the victims were produced before a brave and independent Magistrate, the truth prevailed.
We presented:
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Video evidence
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Medical condition of the victims
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Clear proof of torture
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Proof of a false and fabricated case
Our Bar President, Mian Shirjeel Sahib, presented strong and fearless arguments.
After examining all material:
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The Magistrate discharged the accused
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Ordered action under Section 155 PPC against the concerned Investigating Officer
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Referred the matter to the CCPO to explain why custodial torture was inflicted on innocent people
This decision reaffirmed a powerful principle:
If police represent the baton of the law, lawyers represent the hand that controls it.
No One Is Above the Law
Breaking the arm of a young man.
Beating elderly citizens.
Raiding homes without lawful cause.
Registering false cases.
These are not “mistakes”.
These are criminal acts under the law.
We will pursue:
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Custodial torture proceedings
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Action under custodial death & torture prevention laws
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Legal accountability of every police official involved
This is not revenge.
This is constitutional resistance.
A Message to the Authorities
To the IG Punjab, CCPO, and senior officials:
This is not an isolated incident.
This is a pattern.
If unchecked, it destroys public trust.
If confronted by law, it restores faith.
Today’s order shows that:
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Police power is not absolute
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Courts still protect citizens
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Lawyers still stand with the oppressed
Conclusion
Torture is not investigation.
Violence is not authority.
Fear is not law.
As long as courts are alive and lawyers stand firm, Pakistan will not become a police state.
We will continue this fight, case by case, courtroom by courtroom.
May Allah protect the innocent and grant courage to those who stand for justice. Ameen.