"Those from marginalised groups, refugees, the poor, religious minorities, and the landless - are at particular risk of violent police abuse," it said. "Methods of custodial torture include beatings with batons, stretching and crushing legs with metal rods, sexual violence, prolonged sleep deprivation, and mental torture, including forcing detainees to witness the torture of others," the report added.Expressing concern over the situation, Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said that "Pakistan faces grave security challenges that can be best handled by a rights respecting, accountable police force. ""Instead, law enforcement has been left to a police force filled with disgruntled, corrupt, and tired officers who, making Pakistanis less safe, not more," he added.Senior police officials told Human Rights Watch that physical force is often used because the police are not trained in methods of professional investigation and forensic analysis, it said. "Police officers openly admitted to the practice of faked encounter killings," the report said, adding that such actions were often carried out under pressure from powerful politicians and local elites.Police in Pakistan are under-resourced and over-stretched with under qualified and poorly trained officials often in important positions.The country's security forces are not only at the forefront of war on terrorism, but have also to contend with rising militancy, drug-trafficking, gang-wars, honour killings, kidnappings and targeted killings. "Abysmal work conditions contribute to the climate where violations are tolerated or encouraged," Adams said, adding that the rule of law won't become a reality in Pakistan unless the law enforcement forces are also held to it.

Source: Times of India September 26, 2016 10:52 UTC