ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has formally asserted its jurisdictional authority to investigate allegations of police torture under the landmark Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act, 2022.
In a move aimed at enhancing accountability within law enforcement, the agency confirmed that its Islamabad Zone office, situated at the Ramna Building in Melody Market, is now processing formal complaints from citizens regarding custodial abuse.
This development follows a strategic government decision to empower the FIA as an independent oversight body. By authorising the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle to probe incidents involving police officials, the state intends to address the rising frequency of reports concerning both financial corruption and the brutal physical mistreatment of civilians and suspects while in detention. To facilitate this process, the agency has designated the Station House Officer (SHO) of the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle as the primary point of contact for the registration of grievances and has provided the helpline 0331-7474742 for public inquiries.
The legislative foundation for this authority, the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act of 2022, was promulgated to fulfill Pakistan’s international obligations under the United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCAT). Prior to this enactment, legal gaps often allowed custodial violence to go unpunished, as the police were frequently tasked with investigating their own colleagues. The 2022 Act was specifically designed to criminalise these acts with significant penalties and to ensure that a separate, neutral agency—in this case, the FIA—leads the investigation to prevent internal bias and institutional shielding.
In its official statement, the FIA urged the public to come forward with documented incidents of custodial torture.
The agency emphasised that robust reporting is essential for the initiation of legal proceedings, reiterating its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that those who abuse their positions of authority face the full weight of the judicial system.
