In a bold initiative to reform Pakistan’s criminal justice system, Horizon International Legal Experts LLC filed a public interest litigation highlighting the absence of procedural safeguards during police arrests and interrogations—particularly the failure to inform accused persons of their legal rights at the time of arrest.
Our firm argued that despite constitutional protections under Articles 10 and 10-A (right to fair trial and due process), individuals—especially from underprivileged or uneducated backgrounds—were routinely arrested and interrogated without any formal notification of their rights to remain silent, seek legal counsel, or avoid self-incrimination. This practice led to numerous coerced confessions, custodial abuse, and miscarriage of justice.
Taking inspiration from the Miranda Warning system used in the United States, we urged the High Court to adopt a localized model of Miranda Rights in Pakistan. Our submissions emphasized that a simple verbal warning at the time of arrest—stating that the accused has a right to remain silent and to an attorney—would significantly reduce abuse, prevent unlawful confessions, and empower citizens with a basic understanding of their legal protections.
Requested the Lahore High Court to issue directions for:
Mandatory reading of rights at the time of arrest in clear and understandable language.
Gradual implementation of body cameras on police officers during arrests and interrogations to ensure transparency and accountability.
This was a landmark step toward protecting the rights of the accused, promoting fairness in investigations, and reducing custodial violence. Our firm continues to work with legislators, police departments, and civil society organizations to institutionalize this reform and to embed Miranda-style rights into police training manuals and law enforcement SOPs, so that every layperson in Pakistan—regardless of education or status—is aware of their fundamental rights from the very first moment of state custody.
