Journalist tortured in police custody

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 7 July 2021 |  JP Staff Report

Asghar Jaffery, president of the Bhong Press Club, was reportedly tortured in police custody. His condition drew protests from local journalists urging justice.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—Rahim Yar Khan Police reportedly tortured a senior journalist and president of Bhong Press Club while in custody.

In a video clip tweeted by journalist Rauf Klasra, a handcuffed Asghar Jaffery is seen talking to a local journalist outside the court.

Bhong Police, reportedly pressured by local influential, arrested him in a false case.

One of his eyes is badly affected due to torture and resulted in the loss of his eyesight. Asghar said that even in the 21st century, journalists are still oppressed in Pakistan because of reporting truth and highlighting wrongdoings in society. According to him, local police arrested him in a false case and tortured him in custody all night.

This is what Rahim Yar Khan Police in Punjab have done�Good performance indeed by DPO RYK Asad Sarfraz @GovtofPunjabPK@OfficialDPRPP@UsmanAKBuzdarpic.twitter.com/oVNqV7t2Yn

— Rauf Klasra (@KlasraRauf) July 6, 2021

Local journalists staged a sit-in outside the police station. Asghar was shifted to a healthcare center for medical treatment and later produced before a court.

According to the latest reports, Asghar has been freed and an ASI named Abid has been suspended.

KEY POINTS:

• Asghar Jaffery was arrested in a false case by Rahim Yar Khan Police.
• He suffered severe injuries to one eye due to police torture.
• Local journalists demonstrated outside the police station in protest.
• Jaffery has since been released and received medical treatment.
• An Assistant Sub-Inspector named Abid has been suspended.