A disturbing video showing physical abuse of inmates inside District Jail Attock has gone viral on social media, prompting swift disciplinary action from Punjab’s top prison officials.  According to the video, prison staff can be seen beating prisoners and forcing a labour inmate to massage a senior jail officer, while others hold down a prisoner as one of them brutally lashes him with a “litter” — a long leather strap notorious in prison punishments. 

Though sources claim the video is not recent, it only surfaced publicly two days ago, sparking immediate outrage and a high-level response. Punjab Inspector General of Prisons Mian Farooq Nazir directed DIG Jails Rawalpindi Region to launch a formal investigation.   Following the inquiry report, Attock Jail Superintendent Arif Shahbaz has been transferred to Lahore, and Ishtiaq Gul has been appointed as the new Superintendent of Attock Jail. 

The deputy superintendent of Attock Jail and four other jail officers have been suspended for being involved in the torture of the prisoner.  A video statement by an inmate identified as Shahabuddin has also emerged, in which he details the alleged atrocities committed inside the prison, confirming abuse and human rights violations. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)