The Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered the Punjab Police to film raids to nail suspects, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Saturday.

In an eight-page verdict, the court of Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh directed the government to provide the Punjab police with bodycams and dashboard cameras within six months. It stressed that SOPs should be made to use the video captured by these cameras.

The verdict states: “It is time that the Punjab Police should also be equipped with advanced technological tools to foster public trust, facilitate investigations, and support court proceedings. Therefore, the Government is directed to provide body-worn and dashboard cameras to the Punjab Police on a priority basis, preferably within six months. Simultaneously, it shall frame SOPs to preserve and use footage recorded by them.”

It stressed: “In Pakistan, complaints of false implication in criminal cases are quite frequent. Addressing this issue requires multifaceted actions, including legal reforms and increased transparency and accountability in investigations.

“Videography is a powerful tool in the fight against false implication in narcotics cases, providing objective documentation of police encounters, supporting criminal investigations, and fostering transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies. By capturing audio and video footage of interactions between officers and individuals suspected of drug-related offences, video recordings offer a reliable record of events that can help prevent wrongful arrests, unjust prosecutions, and violations of individuals’ rights.”

The court also cited the Supreme Court as having recognised the importance of videography and international conventions.

LHC asks Punjab Police to film raids to nail suspects by tahir dogar on Scribd

It maintained: “The Director General of ANF has already approved SOPs for recording footage during raids/operations, seizure at airports, seaports, dry ports, international mail offices, courier/parcel offices, permanent checkposts and random Nakas. These were circulated by the Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Narcotics Control, HQ Anti-Narcotics Force, Rawalpindi, vide Letter No. 35(1)ANF/Enf-A/2020-4128 dated 01.06.2020.”