Islamabad: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has highlighted significant gaps in Pakistan’s legal framework against torture, urging the government to address these issues to prevent various forms of inhuman treatment. The organization issued an open letter to the Prime Minister on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, emphasizing the need for comprehensive reforms to tackle both physical and psychological abuse within detention facilities.

According to Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, the recent enactment of the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act (TCDA) 2022, while a progressive step, falls short by not including mental and psychological suffering in its definition of torture. This omission excludes acts such as threats, intimidation, and prolonged solitary confinement from being recognized as torture. The HRCP also raised concerns over the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) exclusive jurisdiction on investigations, pointing out potential conflicts of interest due to the agency's ties with the police service.

The HRCP addressed further issues regarding the lack of clarity in the National Commission for Human Rights' (NCHR) supervisory role over investigations, which contributes to ongoing accountability challenges. Without systematic monitoring and reporting, the prevalence of torture remains underreported and largely unknown to policymakers and civil society, the organization noted.

The HRCP has urged the government to amend the TCDA to include psychological torture, ensure independent investigations, and ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT). The organization also called for the establishment of a credible national mechanism for regular monitoring of detention facilities, with findings made public.