An alarming video from Charsadda, which has gone viral on social media, has caused widespread anger and outrage across the nation. The video depicts a police officer physically assaulting beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), bringing attention to the harsh treatment they endured at the hands of the officer.
Assault against women is not a “new norm” in our society. On daily basis, we see multiple cases around us or on social media that expose this ugly face of our state but this video from Charsada has left netizens in utter shock.
In the video, a Policeman can be seen forcefully pushing and beating women with sticks, while they gathered at Babara High School in Charsadda to collect their BISP installments.
Swiftly responding to this abhorrent incident, Regional Police Officer Mardan, Muhammad Sulaiman, took immediate action by ordering the District Police Officer of Charsadda to initiate internal investigations against those involved. Consequently, Constable Ayaz and Constable Muhammad Zada, the individuals seen torturing the women in the viral video, were promptly suspended from their duties.
In an official statement released by Regional Police Officer Mardan, a strong emphasis was placed on the police force’s duty to protect human rights, stating that any form of inhumane treatment would not be tolerated.
In a swift response, Shazia Marri, the Chairperson of BISP and Federal Minister, expressed her strong disapproval of the incident on Twitter, deeming it “completely unacceptable.” She reassured the public that necessary measures were being taken to address the situation and emphasized that mistreatment of women in such a manner would not be tolerated.
Additionally, Marri acknowledged the technical difficulties faced by Bank Alfalah, leading to delays in the disbursement of monetary assistance. However, she assured the public that efforts were underway to resolve the issue promptly.
It is worth mentioning that Shazia Murree, the Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Program and Federal Minister, recently announced a 25% increase in the stipend for Benazir sponsorship. This increment translates to a fourth-quarter installment of 9,000 rupees for the financial year 2022-23, and the distribution of these funds is set to commence on Monday.
Moreover, Shazia Murree highlighted that approximately 9 million deserving individuals will benefit from these stipends. To ensure convenience, the funds are being disbursed through 1559 specially designated campsites scattered across the country.
The incident of police brutality captured in the Charsadda BISP collection video serves as a grim reminder of the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals in accessing government support programs. Authorities need to take strict measures to prevent such incidents from recurring, and to ensure the well-being and safety of citizens during the implementation of welfare initiatives. Only through effective oversight and accountability can we hope to provide a more just and dignified society for all.
