Police brutality in Islamabad : Journalists beaten for sipping soft drinks in Ramazan

[King Cobra]

Frontier Post journalist Anwer Abbas, who was beaten up by Islamabad police along with his friend Malik Saeed Awan for having soft drinks during the daytime in Ramazan, provided a first-hand account of the incident to journalismpakistan.com on Monday.

According to the report, Abbas and his friend – who works for Independent News Pakistan (INP) – went to Daman-i-Koh in Islamabad and were drinking beverages in their car when a police constable saw them.

The policeman accused them of committing a sin by violating the Ramazan Act that prevents people from eating and drinking in public during the Islamic month.

“I told him I was not fasting and was having my drink in an isolated corner. He told me he was going to register a FIR under Ramadan Ordinance against me,” Abbas said.

The victim also revealed that he and his friend were beaten with belts while the police took them to a nearby police post.

“You have never dealt with police, now we will let you know what police can do. Just then Shahzad [a police constable] stood up, abused me and pushed me hard. I slapped his face in anger and thus started the fight,” Abbas narrated.

The police also threatened them of year-long imprisonment.

Abbas said they were then taken to a police station where the officers were polite and asked him what action they wanted to take against their abusive colleagues.

“I could barely open my left eye following the beating I got and my back was red with belt marks yet I decided to spare them,” Abbas said.

According to a Dawn report, the incident was reported to the Kohsar police SHO and then to the capital IG Bani Amin Khan who assured that action would be taken against the police officials involved in the incident.

The same report stated that senior police officials want Abbas and his friend to withdraw their complaint against the officials.

IG Khan said he had ordered inquiry into the incident. “On Saturday I have been informed by the police officers that both complainants are ready to have a patch up. If complainants withdraw their application, case will be closed,” he said.


http://tribune.com.pk/story/414977/p...ks-in-ramazan/





In the meantime, a police constable came and said taking drinks during fasting is a violation of the Ramazan Act and a serious crime.

He said he told the constable that he was not fasting and was having the drink at an isolated place where no one was present.

"I also told him that it was not their job to stop anyone from eating during the time of fasting but the constable insisted that he has to implement the teachings of Islam," Abbas said.






http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-...e1-903802.aspx

[King Cobra]

Can anyone explain what is this Ramzan act ? Just a few days ago there was news of a Saudi law that asked the Non-Muslims to prohibit eating in public places , I see Pakistan in that regard isnt far either . Following the footsteps of the Draconian Saudi Monarchy.

Cant believe such backward laws still exist in some countries .

[Smiling Creed]

Now now...in that Saudi tread all the people who opposed the warning, will come out and give your view on this news???

It's better to give ample warning before cracking down.

[hafeezrocks]

This is the legacy of Mard e Momin Zia ul haq that still lives on in Pakistan.

[boomboomcheema]

Dont be surprised if some SHaria fans sitting in secular western countries would defend this law .

[Saudi]

This is what happens when holier-than-thou attitudes are legitimised and institutionalised across a nation. "Ramadan ordinance", what a joke...

[eradicator]

If this happend to Muslim in Pakistan then what will happen to a nonmuslim who eats in open ? why is there a need to force your religion down eveyone's throats ?

[Cpt. Rishwat]

It's their laws however stupid they might seem to us. If that's what the public of Pakistan want I'm with them all the way. Give them a good thrashing I say.

[Zaz]

Another backwards law that needs to be gone like zia ul haq

[Hasan]

Another backwards law that needs to be gone like zia ul haq

May Allah grant him hell and double his suffering for every innocent life which has been lost as a result of what he has left behind in Pakistan.

[UP]

That country is a mess

[DHONI183]

Strange situation. I bet that the same journalists would have been writing lengthy articles whole their lives about no one being above the law. Is it not a law after all? Fact is that all these emotional slogans look very good but have less meaning in a practical life. Each and every country has a law or two which is quite disturbing, with Pakistan being of the leaders.

A rubbish law is this, as a side note! Zia-ul-Haq, the spiritual second coming of Adolf Hitler, has left this as a legacy for the generations to come.

[James]

Originally Posted by Cpt. Rishwat It's their laws however stupid they might seem to us. If that's what the public of Pakistan want I'm with them all the way. Give them a good thrashing I say.

Not sure if sarcasm

[Geordie Ahmed]

This is absurd, you have parts of China forcing people not to fast and then you have these lot forcing people to fast, what a mental world we live in

Not justifying it BUT clearly it wasn't wise of the journalist to slap the police officer, that was just asking for a beating

[Liberty]

Thank the Lord my parents migrated out of Pakistan.

[Down2Earth]

what an unbelievable law. The ramazan act? What a farce. Only in pakistan could this law flourish and even be enforced.

Aren't the police officers breaking the law too by beating another whilst fasting themselves? They should enforce it upon themselves too unless they're above the law...

[Liberty]

Originally Posted by Geordie Ahmed This is absurd, you have parts of China forcing people not to fast and then you have these lot forcing people to fast, what a mental world we live in

Its good you touched upon this. The situation is polar opposite yet the same, but in the end one cannot be forced to be "more" or "less" Muslim. You can't use coercion to force people to fast or not fast, the act must be freely chosen. On a side note, the journalist could possibly no longer fast for the rest of the day and his biological nature or perhaps his “instincts” took precedent over his faith/religion. We may never know (?).

[Geordie Ahmed]

Originally Posted by Liberty Its good you touched upon this. The situation is polar opposite yet the same, but in the end one cannot be forced to be "more" or "less" Muslim. You can't use coercion to force people to fast or not fast, the act must be freely chosen. On a side note, the journalist could possibly no longer fast for the rest of the day and his biological nature or perhaps his “instincts” took precedent over his faith/religion. We may never know (?).

Indeed or the journalist probably doesn't care for religion, which he should be entitled to do so

[Cricketismylife]

Is this the law in pak?

What do they do with foreigners etc who eat in public?

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Originally Posted by James Not sure if sarcasm

Well just a hint maybe. It just occurred to me that in Pakistan, and probably India as well, they almost seem resigned to this sort of behaviour from the police. In which case they deserve it for allowing such disgusting behaviour from their authorities.

Perhaps they need some sense beaten into them?

[Invictus]

Its the first time I have heard of this law. Most restaurant and food vendors are closed during the day but some are open. Generally eating in public during fasting hours is looked down upon but I am not aware of any law that prevents one from eating.

http://dawn.com/2012/07/29/eating-at...persons/print/

Former General Secretary of Islamabad Distract Bar Association, Riasat Ali Azad said that there was no provision in Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) that prohibited eating at public places.

“It is a religious and moral obligation of a citizen to avoid eating but police cannot restrict them by force. Just like it is our duty to say prayers five times a day but police cannot force any person to go in the mosque,” he said.

Probably a case of the Tulla being an idiot. Didn't realize he was beating up a jurno and now this will come back to bite him. Its just another story of a Police Officer being a Pakistani POlice Officer. He will get his comeuppins.

[Myrmidon]

thank god i dont live there

because the policemen would get a backhand followed by any backlash if he did anything again

[aashiqmizaaj]

It's an absurd law. Fasting is for Allah alone. Who ever does not want to do it will be dealt by Him anyways. The same applies to the automatic zakaat deductions which is rubbish, and the salah police in Saudi. In each of these cases, the person is not committing the act because they want to but because circumstances around them dictate or necessitate following. In the end, one has to follow the path owing to their will and choice. Even if they followed because of the salah police, the act will likely not be accepted because the driving force was not the person themselves.

Now another perspective is that the act makes it mandatory for everyone to show respect to those who are fasting by forcing them to not eat in public, but part of the essence of fasting is to feel hunger and thirst as those do who cannot afford to eat and drink and what better way than to be in an environment where there is food available. Afterall that is exactly what the poor experience day in and day out.

[the Great Khan]

no such law exists..the tulla was just being a tulla ..seen plenty of people eating and drinking in ramadhan in pak. discreetly of course!

[ahsan88]

The Ehtaram-e-Ramazan Ordinance of 1981 can be found here.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q...VvQI6uKg&pli=1

[anakin]

Thats why secularism rules ..
free to follow your own will..
Had a muslim been beaten in India for such a thing ... My goodness the long long thread here

[aashiqmizaaj]

Originally Posted by anakin Thats why secularism rules .. free to follow your own will.. Had a muslim been beaten in India for such a thing ... My goodness the long long thread here

Secularism need not take all the credit. Islam itself promotes this notion. That its followers do not adhere to this idea of no compulsion in matters of faith, should not give secularism the bye to put a feather in its hat.

[Invictus]

Originally Posted by ahsan88 The Ehtaram-e-Ramazan Ordinance of 1981 can be found here. https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q...VvQI6uKg&pli=1

WOW ! What in the name of moses malone was Zia smoking. Sweet baby jesus !

[Myrmidon]

Originally Posted by anakin Thats why secularism rules .. free to follow your own will.. Had a muslim been beaten in India for such a thing ... My goodness the long long thread here

yeah totally

[James]

Originally Posted by aashiqmizaaj Secularism need not take all the credit. Islam itself promotes this notion. That its followers do not adhere to this idea of no compulsion in matters of faith, should not give secularism the bye to put a feather in its hat.

Totally agree that an ideology and its followers should be considered separate. In fact, that most people don't seem to make the distinction is why we have a lot of discrimination and suffering in this world.

[Cricketismylife]

Originally Posted by Zaz Another backwards law that needs to be gone like zia ul haq

true that.

[Cricketismylife]

on a completely side note -Do professional players fast?

what happens if they are playing?

[anakin]

Originally Posted by aashiqmizaaj Secularism need not take all the credit. Islam itself promotes this notion. That its followers do not adhere to this idea of no compulsion in matters of faith, should not give secularism the bye to put a feather in its hat.

Why shouldn't secularism rules .... personally I think GOD is the greatest invention of man. I hae worshiped in a temple, a church, a mosque, a gurudwara. No body stops me and I am proud of this freedom.
Religion is a personal connect between a man and GOD, no matter what the form. No body should force it on you, not your parents, its an individual journey. People and religion can guide you but not force you.

[humzy]

this is what happens when you slap a police officer lol

[kingkash786]

Why is this thread becoming an Islam and Pakistan bashing thread

Several facts seem to have been completely missed

The two fellows were journalists this is important because a lot of our journalists (and liberals) seem to think they are whiter then white and have no respect what so ever for the "silly brown natives and their strange ways"

Secondly the cops only were a bit rough till one of the journalists ( who admits it himself) slapped the cop on the face why would you do that unless you felt you were superior. Before anyone blames the cops behavior police in the Uk has done the same and even worse go on youtube and see how the US police force will deal with small issues before you start saying this would never happen in a secular country

Thirdly when he went to the other police station the other cops were polite and civilized therefore this can be seen down to the individual cops at the start and since they are still human beings could be down to any reason maybe the cop who started the beating had a bad day at the office maybe the journalist was a jerk maybe they are all wahabbis or maybe they were just hungry it is not for us to decide.

[Looney]

There is a Ramzan act ? Must be another gift from Zia we could do without

[FusedBulb]

Originally Posted by kingkash786 Why is this thread becoming an Islam and Pakistan bashing thread Several facts seem to have been completely missed The two fellows were journalists this is important because a lot of our journalists (and liberals) seem to think they are whiter then white and have no respect what so ever for the "silly brown natives and their strange ways" Secondly the cops only were a bit rough till one of the journalists ( who admits it himself) slapped the cop on the face why would you do that unless you felt you were superior. Before anyone blames the cops behavior police in the Uk has done the same and even worse go on youtube and see how the US police force will deal with small issues before you start saying this would never happen in a secular country Thirdly when he went to the other police station the other cops were polite and civilized therefore this can be seen down to the individual cops at the start and since they are still human beings could be down to any reason maybe the cop who started the beating had a bad day at the office maybe the journalist was a jerk maybe they are all wahabbis or maybe they were just hungry it is not for us to decide.

+1
Great reply.
News media has reached to a point of distortion, lies, fabrication, subtleness, out of context, chopping off, twisting facts, wrapping up information etc where you just can't trust the entirety of truth in almost any news report.
I guess we have arrived into a time where we have started to pick and believe only the news that is in accord to our pre-perceived brainwashed mindset.
Neither the news is unbias nor the reader's mindset.

BTW
Try eating out in Public during Ramadhan in Peshawar and you won't need to call the police. The locals will take care of you.