Forensic report confirms drug toxicity in Township…
Punjab Police Chief Abdul Kareem has said the deaths of two women at Lahore’s Township Police Station were caused by combined drug toxicity, ruling out physical violence or police torture as the cause of death.
Addressing a press conference at the Central Police Office in Lahore, the Inspector General of Police said a detailed investigation had been conducted into the deaths. The Lahore CCPO and DIG Investigation also attended the briefing.
According to the IG, the Medical Board found no signs of physical assault, external injuries or wounds on either woman. A separate magisterial inquiry conducted under Section 176 of the Code of Criminal Procedure also found no evidence of torture by police officials.
The police reviewed complete CCTV footage related to the incident and recorded statements from police personnel and witnesses. The two women had been brought to Township Police Station following action on a 15 emergency call. A case under Sections 379 and 420 of the Pakistan Penal Code was subsequently registered after a written complaint was received.
Police said both women had previously been involved in several alleged fraud and cheating cases registered in Lahore and Gujrat. CCTV footage also showed that their clothes appeared to have been torn before they were taken into police custody.
The Medical Board had earlier observed several injection marks on the women’s arms. Samples were subsequently collected by the Punjab Forensic Science Authority for detailed examination.
The final forensic report has now confirmed the presence of nine different types of drugs in samples obtained from both women. The Medical Board concluded that the combination of drugs caused toxicity, leading to cardiopulmonary arrest and death.
IG Punjab Abdul Kareem said the police would continue to follow the law and ensure transparent accountability. He stressed that no individual would be treated as being above the law.
The police chief also briefed the media on several other cases. He said significant progress had been made in the Hina Javed murder investigation in Rawalpindi, where three suspects were nominated and two had been arrested. Investigators, he said, established that an incident initially reported as suicide was actually a murder.
Regarding the Abdullah Tahir murder case, the IG said police were working to arrest the suspected shooters. The suspects reportedly fled towards Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and efforts were underway to trace their whereabouts.
On police reforms, Abdul Kareem said the Dolphin Force was being reorganised, with its command and control to be placed under local station house officers. The department is also considering modern electric motorcycles for the force, while new motorcycles have already been provided to Murree Police for improved patrolling.
The IG further announced stronger measures against corruption within the police department. He said the Internal Accountability Branch was being strengthened and regional and district police officers had been directed to take strict action against officials involved in corrupt practices.
Speaking about the Ghaziabad rape case, the IG said police had arrested the nominated suspect and secured relevant medical, forensic and CCTV evidence. Footage from the police station, Safe City cameras and other local cameras was collected, while statements from the victim, complainant, relatives and other relevant individuals were recorded.
Police personnel found negligent in the case were suspended and departmental inquiries were initiated. The Punjab Institute of Mental Health also conducted assessments of the victim.
