OMCT 72d ago

Torture is widespread and systemic in Pakistan, especially within law enforcement and detention facilities. For 2025, the Global Torture Index classifies the country as facing a high risk of torture and ill-treatment, based on data collected in 2023 and 2024. Police regularly employ torture, especially during arrests and interrogations, with the most concerning abuses affecting ethnic minorities, particularly Baloch communities, political activists, migrants and other vulnerable individuals, leading to repeated cases of severe injury, enforced disappearances and deaths. Institutional reliance on forced confessions, primarily stemming from the incentivisation of high conviction rates, aggravates the issue. Additionally, prisons are at 152.31% capacity on average, with 74,918 prisoners awaiting trial, and lack essential safeguards, resulting in routine abuse, solitary confinement and neglect of medical needs, further highlighting severe human rights violations. The Global Torture Index 2025 is the first analysis designed to assess the risk of torture and ill-treatment across 26 countries worldwide. This 2025 factsheet for Pakistan includes an analysis of the country’s overall performance, a breakdown by thematic pillars and key recommendations for driving meaningful change in the fight against torture and the promotion of human rights. Visit the country page and download the factsheet: https://bit.ly/4mC97Wy