Pakistans intelligence agency ISI reportedly runs a secret interrogation centre in the Saddar district of Rawalpindi, where it has in the past tortured a number of British nationals suspected of terrorism and who were arrested on directions from UK.
London, May 13 : Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI reportedly runs a secret interrogation centre in the Saddar district of Rawalpindi, where it has in the past tortured a number of British nationals suspected of terrorism and who were arrested on directions from UK.
This was said to be in violation of guidance for officers questioning detainees held overseas, which states: "The security and intelligence agencies do not participate in, solicit, encourage or condone the use of torture or inhuman and degrading treatment."
Quoting a report in The Guardian, the Dawn reported that the interrogation centre is surrounded by high walls and watchtowers, and bristling with surveillance cameras.
The report quoted a British citizen as saying that he was driven to the centre in 2004, held there for ten months and was tortured. Salahuddin Amin (33) had moved to Pakistan three years earlier from Luton, Bedfordshire, and he was eventually returned to the UK and successfully prosecuted, it added.
Similarly, a second British citizen from Manchester was also arrested at the request of British authorities, and was held at the same place. Besides, two other British citizens were also tortured by the ISI before being questioned by British counter-terrorism officials.
But, the Pakistan Foreign Office declined to comment when asked how many British citizens had been detained in Pakistan in the last decade and questioned over alleged terrorism. Nor did it disclose how many had subsequently complained of mistreatment.
ANI