BOL anchor Jameel Farooqi says he was stripped naked, beaten in custody

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 22 August 2022

Jameel Farooqi, a BOL News anchor, claims he was abused in police custody, sparking outrage over human rights violations in Pakistan. His allegations follow his arrest concerning remarks about Shahbaz Gill's treatment.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—BOL News anchor and YouTuber Jameel Farooqi, arrested earlier, broke into tears at the Karachi airport and claimed he was denuded and beaten by police.

In a video clip posted by the official PTI Twitter handle, he is seen handcuffed and being transported to Islamabad by an officer of the Islamabad Police.

The pro-PTI Farooqi claimed that he was being punished for speaking the truth. “I was stripped naked and beaten up,” he said as journalist Faysal Aziz Khan tries to console him. “My family doesn’t know where I am.”

The prominent journalist was arrested for reportedly claiming that police abused Shahbaz Gill, the chief of staff of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, sexually. Gill remains in custody in Islamabad.

PTI said on Twitter: “Everyday Pakistan makes everyone believe that human rights are now completely nonexistent.” The party said that the “inhumane treatment of ordinary citizens continues in the fascist imported government. How many you will silence, how many you will torture?”

KEY POINTS:

• Jameel Farooqi claims he was stripped naked and beaten by police.
• He was reportedly arrested for comments about Shahbaz Gill's alleged abuse.
• Farooqi's emotional response was captured on video as he was transported by police.
• PTI has condemned these actions, stating human rights are being violated.
• Concerns are rising over the treatment of journalists in Pakistan.