Five years after Pakistan criminalized torture, the practice endures—not because the law is weak on paper, but because its enforcement remains riddled with gaps. At a roundtable in Islamabad on Thursday, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) laid bare the disconnect between legislation and reality, urging the state to move beyond symbolic compliance. Main Developments The consultation, part of HRCP's 'Against Torture' campaign and supported by the European Union, brought together legal experts, government representatives, and civil society to dissect why the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act 2022 has not curbed abuses. Participants identified weak implementation, inadequate safeguards, and a lack of accountability as primary culprits. Hina Jilani, HRCP Council member and former chairperson, stressed that psychological torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment demand equal attention, as their consequences can be as severe and long-lasting as physical harm. She argued that without clear procedures and practical guidance for law enforcement—on identifying, investigating, documenting, and responding to torture cases—the law cannot function effectively. Read also: Rawalpindi Sanitation Workers Protest Unpaid Eid Bonus Lawyer Asad Jamal pointed to the UN Committee against Torture's findings, noting that concerns raised during Pakistan's 2017 review were reiterated in the 2026 review—evidence that structural problems enabling torture remain unresolved. He called for protocols to prevent arbitrary detention and for amending Prison Rules to align with human rights principles. Law ministry advisor Usman Ali invited HRCP to submit formal recommendations, signaling openness to reform. PTI leader Taimoor Jhagra welcomed the campaign but emphasized that civil society must drive changes in behavioral norms, since legislative failure is not the only obstacle. Background Pakistan enacted the anti-torture law in 2022 after years of advocacy, yet its implementation has lagged. The UN Committee against Torture's 2017 review had already flagged systemic issues, and the repetition of those concerns in 2026 suggests deep-rooted institutional resistance. Farhatullah Babar, former PPP senator and HRCP Council member, highlighted the use of internment centres in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a particular concern, recommending their abolition or integration into the civilian prison system with independent oversight. He also urged ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT), which would enable unannounced inspections of detention facilities. Why It Matters The persistence of torture undermines the rule of law and erodes public trust in state institutions. Without accountability, victims are left without recourse, and the deterrent effect of the law evaporates. The state's responsibility extends beyond refraining from abuse—it must actively prevent, protect, and prosecute, as participants noted. International scrutiny, reflected in the UN Committee's repeated concerns, also carries diplomatic and reputational costs for Pakistan. Addressing these deficiencies is not just a legal obligation but a prerequisite for credible human rights standing. What's Next HRCP is expected to submit its recommendations to the law ministry, which has invited input. Key open questions include whether the government will act on OPCAT ratification and whether internment centres in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be reformed or abolished. The upcoming months will test whether political will translates into concrete changes—or if the law remains a paper tiger.