The recent brutal assault on Saif Samejo, a renowned singer and lead vocalist of The Sketches band, by Pakistan’s law enforcement authorities during a protest in Karachi has ignited an uproar, once again highlighting the heavy-handed, lawless, and criminal attitude of the police in the country. Samejo, who is also the founder of Lahooti Melo, was brutally tortured during a protest organized by the “Sindh Rawadari March” in the Saddar area on Sunday, marking another troubling episode in the recurring pattern of police violence. This incident has brought into sharp focus the unchecked power wielded by law enforcement agencies in Pakistan, where citizens who raise their voices are often met with violence and intimidation.
The protest in question was aimed at drawing attention to Sindh’s rights, and it attracted a large number of demonstrators, including activists, political figures, and cultural icons like Samejo. Tensions escalated as protesters clashed with the police, leading to a crackdown by law enforcement. In a particularly shocking turn, Samejo was not only arrested but also subjected to severe physical abuse, which left him with visible injuries. Videos and images of his bruised face and body circulating on social media have provoked widespread outrage, with fans, human rights activists, and political figures condemning the authorities’ actions.
This incident is not an isolated one. It fits into a disturbing pattern of law enforcement agencies in Pakistan acting with impunity and resorting to violence to suppress dissent. Over the years, the police have developed a reputation for employing brutal tactics during protests, crackdowns, and even routine arrests. The case of Saif Samejo has once again underscored how law enforcement in the country has become synonymous with brutality rather than upholding justice and maintaining law and order.
What makes the Saif Samejo incident even more troubling is the fact that he is not a regular protester, nor a figure known for inciting violence. As an artist and cultural figure, Samejo has long been a proponent of peace, tolerance, and Sindhi culture. His work with The Sketches and Lahooti Melo, a music festival that celebrates art, culture, and heritage, has made him a beloved figure in Sindh and beyond. For such an individual to be targeted and brutalized by the police is an indication of how far the authorities are willing to go to silence any form of dissent.
Human rights organizations have long criticized the law enforcement agencies in Pakistan for their excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial punishments. In recent years, there has been a growing concern about the increasing militarization of the police, who often act with little regard for the law or human rights. Instead of serving the public and ensuring their safety, the police are often seen as an arm of the state used to stifle freedom of expression and suppress political or social movements.
The actions of the police during the “Sindh Rawadari March” were not just a violation of Saif Samejo’s rights, but they also raised broader questions about the state of democracy and civil liberties in Pakistan. The protest was peaceful until it was met with excessive force from law enforcement. The use of batons, tear gas, and arrests to disperse the crowd is a reflection of how the authorities view peaceful assembly – not as a right but as a threat. This is a troubling trend that has been seen repeatedly in Pakistan, where protests, especially those involving minority communities or activists advocating for regional rights, are met with disproportionate force.
Saif Samejo’s brutal treatment at the hands of the police is also indicative of the broader culture of violence that pervades Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies. From routine traffic stops to raids on homes, the police are notorious for using excessive force. Torture in custody, beatings, and even deaths as a result of police brutality are alarmingly common, yet accountability is almost non-existent. In the rare cases where investigations are launched, the perpetrators are often let off with minimal consequences, further emboldening the police to continue their violent practices.
The silence from high-ranking officials following the attack on Samejo has only exacerbated the situation. Instead of launching a thorough investigation into the actions of the police officers involved, the authorities have remained largely unresponsive, reflecting a broader culture of impunity within the government. When those who are tasked with protecting citizens instead become their oppressors, and when the state fails to hold them accountable, it erodes public trust in institutions and fosters a sense of fear and helplessness among the people.
Prominent voices from the world of music, culture, and politics have condemned the attack on Samejo. Fellow artists have taken to social media to express their solidarity, while political figures have decried the increasing authoritarianism that is taking root in Pakistan. Sindhi nationalist groups, in particular, have pointed to this incident as yet another example of the state’s ongoing repression of Sindh’s people and culture. The Sindhi community, which has long felt marginalized by the federal government, sees this attack on one of its cultural icons as a direct assault on their identity and their right to peaceful protest.
International human rights organizations have also raised concerns over the growing use of police violence in Pakistan. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly called on the Pakistani government to reform its law enforcement agencies and ensure that they operate within the bounds of the law. However, despite these calls, meaningful reform has been slow to materialize, and incidents like the one involving Saif Samejo continue to occur with alarming frequency.
The brutal assault on Saif Samejo is a stark reminder of the unchecked power of Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies and the culture of violence that has been allowed to flourish within their ranks. As long as the authorities continue to act with impunity, using excessive force to silence dissent and intimidate citizens, Pakistan will struggle to uphold its democratic ideals. The government must take immediate steps to ensure accountability for the officers involved in this attack and implement broader reforms to curb police brutality. Only then can the people of Pakistan, like Saif Samejo, exercise their fundamental rights without fear of violent retribution.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance.
