UK Parliament hears fresh concerns over human rights in Indian-Occupied Jammu & Kashmir

Punjab Police suspended 78 officials of Lahore’s Ghaziabad Police Station after an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a mentally challenged young woman inside the police station. The action followed the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against the accused under rape provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code and relevant sections of the Police Order 2002. Senior police authorities immediately took notice of the incident and ordered the arrest of the suspect. According to the complaint filed by the victim’s father, his 19 to 20-year-old daughter, who has a mental disability, left home on Sunday afternoon and did not return for some time. During the search, a local resident allegedly informed the family that a policeman in plain clothes had taken the girl away. The complainant said he rushed to the Ghaziabad Police Station, where he was told that his daughter had already been sent home. After returning home, he found her in distress. He alleged that she told him a police official had taken her to the station and sexually assaulted her. Following the complaint, police registered a case and arrested the accused ASI. Authorities also launched both criminal and departmental investigations into the matter. As part of disciplinary action, 78 police personnel, including the station house officer (SHO), sub-inspectors, assistant sub-inspectors, front desk officials and other staff members, were suspended over alleged negligence, poor supervision and failure to maintain discipline at the police station. All suspended officials have been directed to report to Police Lines until further orders. Police officials said maintaining discipline and ensuring a safe environment at police stations is the responsibility of every officer. They warned that negligence or irresponsible conduct would not be tolerated and pledged strict accountability at the police station level. A new SHO has been appointed to take charge of Ghaziabad Police Station while the investigation continues. Punjab Women Protection Authority Chairperson Hina Parvez Butt strongly condemned the incident, describing it as deeply disturbing and calling for strict legal action against those responsible. Police said further legal and departmental proceedings will be carried out after the investigation is completed.

Islamabad: “Serious questions have been raised about the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) after Senator Aimal Wali Khan questioned why the Chairman NEPRA continues receiving a monthly salary of Rs3.2 million despite concerns regarding his office attendance and official responsibilities.” The issue was raised during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat chaired by Senator Rana Mahmood ul Hassan at the Establishment Division. Senator Aimal Wali Khan questioned the performance and accountability of senior government officials, saying that important positions should not continue without effective participation and responsibility. While discussing NEPRA, Senator Aimal Wali Khan stated that the Chairman NEPRA had remained ill only a few weeks after his appointment and was not attending office regularly, yet continued receiving his full salary. He questioned whether public funds should continue to be spent on positions where official duties are not being performed and demanded accountability regarding the matter. The committee took note of the concerns raised by Senator Aimal Wali Khan and discussed the importance of transparency and responsibility in government institutions. During the wider discussion on public sector appointments and governance issues, Senator Aimal Wali Khan criticised the practice of keeping individuals in important positions despite their inability to perform official duties. He remarked that some people continue holding positions even when they are unable to actively carry out responsibilities, raising questions about institutional efficiency and accountability. The committee stressed that senior positions in government bodies must be linked with performance, transparency and public responsibility. The issue comes at a time when regulatory institutions such as NEPRA play a major role in Pakistan’s electricity sector, including matters related to power regulation, tariffs and consumer interests. The committee directed relevant authorities to provide required information so that matters related to public appointments, governance and institutional reforms could be examined in detail.