During a meeting organised by the project in collaboration with the Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights to commemorate the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the participants said that an independent investigation mechanism to inquire into allegations of torture and specify punishments is severely missing in the country.
The meeting was attended by former senator Farhatullah Babar, PPP Senator Fawzia Arshad, PTI's Zille Huma, Nafeesa Inayatullah Khattak and Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro amongst others.
"Due to procedural and legal loopholes, lack of oversight, and the impunity enjoyed by perpetrators, torture by police remains widespread across Pakistan," the meeting said.
It said that currently, there are two anti-torture bills under consideration in the National Assembly and appreciated both the bills, besides urging the government to club the two with the best elements from each making up the final legislation.
“Torture is endemic and under-reported in Pakistan and perpetrators of torture enjoy total immunity,” said Babar while addressing the meeting.
"In the past year, we have witnessed a concerted effort to bring forth legislation criminalising torture. We are hopeful that such legislation, that goes to the very heart of upholding fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution, is passed by the Parliament," said JPP Executive Director Sarah Belal.