Peshawar(Kashif Arif) Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Peshawar, Dr. Mian Saeed, has imposed a strict ban on video recording and social media coverage of arrested suspects within all police stations and check-posts across the provincial capital.
According to the official directive, no police officer, media person, or third party will be allowed to record or circulate videos or statements of detainees. The order comes amid growing concerns over privacy violations, misuse of sensitive footage, and the potential risks such videos pose to fair investigations.
Dr. Saeed emphasized that maintaining the dignity of suspects, regardless of charges, is essential to ensuring justice and upholding human rights. “From now onwards, no video or social media recording of any arrested person will be permitted in Peshawar police stations. Anyone found violating this order will face strict disciplinary action,” he warned.
The CCPO further clarified that this ban applies to all forms of media, including mobile phone recordings, official or personal cameras, and online live streaming. The directive reflects the police leadership’s resolve to protect the integrity of investigations while preventing exploitation of detainees for publicity or political purposes.
Human rights advocates have long criticized the practice of publicizing suspects’ statements before trial, calling it a violation of due process. The new policy is expected to align police procedures more closely with international standards of criminal justice.
Officials confirmed that internal monitoring teams have been tasked to ensure compliance with the order. Any police officer found facilitating unauthorized recordings will face “immediate and severe” consequences.
This move signals a significant shift in Peshawar’s policing approach, balancing law enforcement needs with the protection of individual rights.
