Custodial torture is endemic in Pakistan’s criminal justice system and commonly perceived as an unofficially sanctioned component of investigation. It is used routinely to extract evidence—despite this being prohibited under Article 14(2) of the Constitution—and as an alternative means of punishing individuals in custody. In Pakistan, public officials, including law enforcement agencies and security forces, are known to employ torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment against people in their custody, regardless of the victim’s age, gender or health.
