Powerloom workers protest ‘police torture’ in Faisalabad

In Faisalabad, a group of powerloom workers staged a protest on Monday, demanding an end to the alleged police torture of a 13-year-old worker and his mother. The workers accused the in-charge of Siddhupura police post of torturing the minor and his mother, and arresting the boy without any valid reason. They claimed that the police were acting on behalf of a factory owner who wanted Ghulam Mustafa, the 13-year-old, to pay his wages.

The protesters threatened to go on a sit-in if Ghulam Mustafa was not released. Meanwhile, in Toba Tek Singh, a labour union's chairman, Baba Latif Insari, also alleged police misconduct, saying the officers had tortured a minor and his mother before arresting the boy. Faisalabad Regional Police Officer Inamur Rehman Malik dismissed Sub-Inspector Hakim Ali from service due to gross misconduct and illegal detention.

An inquiry found SI Hakim Ali guilty and revealed his poor disciplinary history. In Gojra, a woman named Surayya Bibi and her husband Abdul Rehman were killed when a motorcycle-rickshaw hit them while they were crossing Jhang Road. On Kamalia-Chichawatni Road, a motorcyclist named Ansar Sajjad was killed by a speeding coaster. Lastly, a special judge in Faisalabad rejected bail applications of brothers Rehan Babar and Salman Babar in a case related to immigration issues.

The Federal Investigation Agency collected evidence, including witness statements and bank transaction records, leading to a case registration.