Jaranwala family claims police misconduct after assault

Dispute escalated after 'offensive' language exchange

JARANWALA:

A Christain family in Ghaffari Town, Malkhawala area was reportedly assaulted on Monday.

As per the initial reports, Farooq Masih and his son Haroon were allegedly attacked following a dispute with a group of local residents.

The disagreement reportedly escalated after offensive language was exchanged. When the situation became tense, Farooq Masih called the police emergency helpline (15) seeking assistance.

However, the family has alleged that instead of providing protection, the police handed over Haroon to the opposing party, who then took him to a nearby residence, where he was reportedly subjected to further physical assault.

The incident came to light when Akmal Bhatti, Chairman of the Minorities Alliance Pakistan, visited the family, recorded their statements, and presented Haroon before the area magistrate's court.

The court ordered a medical examination at the District Headquarters Hospital to determine the extent of the injuries.

Bhatti emphasized the need for fair and unbiased policing, urging authorities to address the family's concerns and take appropriate legal action.

He stated that the rule of law must be upheld, and no one should be allowed to misuse their influence, regardless of background or status. He also raised concerns over an alleged delay in registering the family's complaint, stating that an application had been submitted to Saddar Police Station three days prior, but an FIR had not yet been registered.

Bhatti warned that continued inaction would lead to further legal steps, including approaching higher courts to ensure justice.

Meanwhile, locals have called for a thorough and impartial investigation, urging law enforcement agencies to ensure that all parties involved are heard and that the matter is resolved according to legal procedures.

No official statement has yet been released by Faisalabad police regarding the allegations.