Five Attock Jail Officials Suspended Over Alleged Prisoner Torture
LAHORE: The Punjab Home Department has suspended five prison officers from Attock District Jail following allegations of physically torturing inmates, in a move that reflects the province’s strict stance against abuse of authority in correctional facilities.
The suspension follows a tragic incident in April when an under-trial prisoner was found dead under mysterious circumstances inside the jail’s washroom. Officials initially claimed the inmate died by suicide using a drawstring, but the circumstances raised concerns after fellow inmates reportedly discovered the body hanging from a window.
According to a formal notification issued by the Home Department, Deputy Superintendent Executive Sarmad Hassan, Assistant Superintendent Mushtaq Ahmed, Chief Warden Muhammad Rafiq, Head Warden Zulfiqar, and Warden Muhammad Ayub have all been suspended for 90 days under charges of inefficiency, negligence, and misconduct, as outlined in the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act, 2006.
A department spokesperson confirmed that the officers were found involved in the physical abuse of a prisoner and were suspended for abuse of authority, mismanagement, and incompetence. He added that the Punjab government enforces a strict “zero tolerance policy” against any violations of prison regulations, especially when it comes to the mistreatment of inmates.
Additionally, Superintendent Arif Shahbaz has already been removed from his post and transferred to Lahore as part of the ongoing investigation and disciplinary actions.
The Home Department emphasized that clear rules and guidelines are in place for the humane treatment and management of prisoners across all provincial jails. These rules strictly prohibit any form of torture or physical abuse.
Concerns about prison conditions have been growing. In February, the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights highlighted serious issues in the prison system, including overcrowding and prolonged delays for inmates on death row.
According to Justice Project Pakistan (JPP), a human rights organization based in Lahore, torture in custody remains a serious issue. Their research indicates that such practices are deeply rooted in the system, often going unchecked due to a lack of oversight and insufficient legal protections.
Despite being a signatory to the UN Convention Against Torture, Pakistan has yet to formally criminalize torture, raising ongoing concerns from human rights advocates and international observers.
The Punjab government’s latest actions may signal a step toward greater accountability within the prison system and a commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals in custody.
