‘Torture’ as defined in the domestic law: The Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act, 2022 is the first statute in Pakistan that defines and criminalizes acts of torture as distinct offences. It defines torture as, “An act committed by which severe physical pain or physical suffering, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions.” Types of Torture: Torture can be categorized into two types: I. Psychological II. Physical I. Psychological: Research and clinical experience have shown that psychological sequelae of torture are often more persistent and protracted than physical sequelae and documentation of torture frequently takes place when the physical lesions have already disappeared. The term “psychological torture” refers to methods of torture that do not involve direct physical pain. These methods can include threats of death, mock execution, or sensory deprivation. In these cases, there will be no physical evidence of torture and the psychological signs may be the only evidence available to you. II. Physical: To the extent that physical evidence of torture or ill-treatment exists, it provides important confirmatory evidence that a person has been tortured or ill-treated. However, the absence of such physical evidence should not be construed to suggest that 6