Kamal Ghorui
Munir Ahmad Malhi, a former head constable with Pakistan’s Punjab Police Service, was ordered to be deported from Canada because of his 37 years of career with the police force that committed crimes against humanity. But Malhi appealed against the order and has now won the case and another shot at his refugee status as the new order says the deportation order did not have justification, transparency and intelligibility. Malhi had worked with the police force in Pakistan from 1979 to 2016, when he retired. Four years after his retirement, Malhi came to Canada with his wife and sought refugee status, citing a serious risk of persecution in Pakistan because of his Ahmadiyya faith, National Post reported.Canada’s immigration minister in 2020 opposed Malhi’s application and said he could not be given refugee protection. In 2022, Malhi was interviewed; his refugee claim was suspended and he was found to be “complicit” in violent crimes, including “torture, rape, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings”, though it was not alleged that Malhi was personally involved. Malhi too did not dispute the generalized idea about Pakistan’s Punjab Police Force and acknowledged that they are known for violence. But he claimed he was a “low-level” mail carrier with minimal involvement in police activities, though records showed he was the head constable — he also received several awards throughout his career. In 2024, Malhi was ordered to be deported. He applied to Canada’s Federal Court for a review. Malhi contended that he was not involved in any crimes against humanity, nor did he endorse or contribute to them. He said he was aware of the crimes against humanity and the use of torture by the PPS, but did not leave the force because he had to earn a living to support his family. He said his role in the PPS was restricted and, as an Ahmadiyya Muslim, his authority and influence was limited. He says he did not conduct interrogations, and his duties consisted mainly of mail delivery.Earlier this month, the court set aside his deportation and sent his case back for a review by a different decision maker.
