RAWALPINDI – A controversial development has been reported from Rawalpindi where women accused appearing before the courts were reportedly brought from Adiala Jail with both hands locked in handcuffs, triggering protests from their relatives, lawyers and members of the District Bar Association.
The women reportedly remained handcuffed for nearly six to seven hours during the journey from Adiala Jail to the court, their appearance before the court and their return to prison. The development prompted lawyers to question the legality and manner of the treatment being meted out to female detainees.
ملکی تاریخ میں پہلی مرتبہ راولپنڈی کو یہ اعزاز حاصل ہوا ہے کہ خواتین کو ہتھکڑیاں لگا کر اڈیالہ جیل سے جوڈیشل کمپلیکس اور ضلع کچہری لایا جاتا ہے،جس ملزم نے بھاگنا تھا اسکو پورے پروٹوکول سے بھاگنے کا موقع دیا گیا اور خواتین کے ہاتھوں پر ہتھکڑیاں لگا دی گئیں۔۔۔۔ pic.twitter.com/9efN9aSmzL
— Yasir Hakeem (@mughal207) September 25, 2026
According to the women, being restrained with both hands made even basic movements extremely difficult. They said they struggled to board and leave police vans, use washrooms and adjust their dupattas or shawls during the lengthy period in custody.
The women further alleged that police personnel, while helping them enter or leave the police van, held them from behind or grabbed their hands, which they said caused them distress and, in some instances, left them exposed when their dupattas slipped. The women also claimed that the practice was being followed in Rawalpindi, saying they were unaware of any woman escaping from police custody to justify such treatment.
The issue sparked strong reaction from the legal fraternity. Lawyers protesting the practice described the handcuffing of women as unconstitutional, illegal, unethical, un-Islamic and inhumane, while also arguing that Pakistani law does not permit the death penalty for women.
Senior lawyer Shan Zaib Khan Advocate said the order was reportedly issued by the CPO Rawalpindi, calling it wrong and demanding that it be withdrawn immediately. He said legal proceedings could be initiated before the High Court against the officer responsible for the directive.
Meanwhile, District Bar Association President Malik Sajid Tariq Awan termed the practice a violation of constitutional protections and said the bar was protesting against the handcuffing of women. He warned that if the practice continued, lawyers could approach the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and High Court over the matter.
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The women also claimed that when they protested against being handcuffed, police personnel told them that the practice was being carried out on the CPO’s orders and that officers could face consequences for refusing to comply.
The unprecedented episode has now intensified scrutiny of the treatment of female accused during transportation and court appearances, with lawyers demanding clarification over the order and its legal basis.
