QUETTA: Residents of Musakhail have alleged serious human rights violations after eight individuals were reportedly forced to walk on fire to prove their innocence following accusations of shop theft. The affected individuals have demanded legal action against those responsible and an impartial investigation into the incident.
The allegations were raised during a press conference at the Quetta Press Club on Tuesday by Hafiz Dad Muhammad, Muhammad Iqbal, Raaz Muhammad, and Sharafuddin, who said they were among those subjected to the ordeal. According to them, a theft incident occurred at a shop in Musakhail, after which certain local individuals decided to conduct what they described as a “trial by fire” instead of reporting the matter to law enforcement authorities.
The speakers claimed they were compelled to walk through fire to prove they were not involved in the theft. “We were forced to undergo this act to establish our innocence, which we eventually did,” they told reporters. They said the practice was humiliating, unlawful, and physically dangerous, and reflected the absence of rule of law in the area.
They further alleged that after a video of the incident surfaced on social media and went viral, the district administration took notice of the matter. However, instead of proceeding against those who allegedly organised and enforced the trial by fire, cases were registered against individuals who, according to them, were innocent.
You May Also Like: Sarfraz Bugti Assumes Role as Chief of Bugti Tribes
The affected persons claimed that the actual suspects in the theft case were identified as Abid, Shakeel, Gul Muhammad, Jummad Gul, Alam Khan, Rozuddin, Khanan, Haibat Khan, and Bahauddin. They alleged that despite being named, these individuals have not faced any legal action so far.
They also levelled allegations against the local Levies police, claiming that the station house officer (SHO) of the Levies Police Station nominated and arrested individuals who were neither named by the complainants nor involved in the alleged theft. According to them, this has added to their sense of injustice and insecurity.
Eight individuals reportedly forced to walk on fire over accusations of shop theft, despite later proving their innocence. https://t.co/UFZhxNJDnK
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 31, 2025
The speakers appealed to the provincial government, senior police officials, and the judiciary to take notice of the incident, ensure protection for the affected individuals, and hold those responsible accountable under the law. They stressed that parallel systems of justice and practices such as trials by fire violate basic human rights and must not be tolerated.
Officials from the district administration and Levies force were not immediately available for comment.
Check out our latest video:
