Tag: cops

  • Nine cops suspended for assaulting Karachi protesters

    Nine cops suspended for assaulting Karachi protesters

    Nine officials, including Eid Gah Station House Officer (SHO) Zaheer Ahmad, have been suspended on Monday after violent baton charges against peaceful protesters, journalists and civil society members at Karachi Press Club (KPC).

    A notification issued by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Syed Asad Raza stated that police officials were aggressive toward protestors upon which they were suspended, as proven by CCTV footage evidence, Geo News has reported.

    The notification further read, “They are also shifted to suspended men’s Coy: Headquarter Garden, South Zone Karachi, where they shall attend daily roll call/parade. They shall draw pay and allowances as admissible under the rules.”

    Police on Sunday confronted protesters for defying section 144 during a demonstration against the extra-judicial killing of blasphemy suspect Dr Shahnawaz Kunbhar and “extremism in Sindh.”

    As videos of Sindh police’s brutality against protestors surfaced on social media, big-wig politicians condemned the incident, including leaders from the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

    Senator Sherry Rehman wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “I apologise on behalf of the party. Am told that TLP was advancing from the other side and the police were on hair trigger alert after the recent attacks on foreigners and the advise to not protest until SCO is over, but still, the situation could have been handled differently.”

    “We are a democratic party, and the rights of citizens have to be protected and respected even if they were in violation of today’s 144. I have spoken on the phone from Islamabad to many who were mistreated, and I apologised and appreciate their understanding. Because this is important. Many of us are sorry and shamed. Will inform the leadership as well,” Sherry Rehman further noted.

    PPP leader Shazia Atta Marri was disheartened by the incident that took place outside Karachi Press Club.

    She claimed on X (formerly Twitter), “Deeply hurt by Yesterday’s events. The images are haunting. The young girl could be any one of our daughters. Surely this was too high a price to pay for raising your voice for peace. Yes 144 was imposed & yes it’s is important to maintain order but this was no way to disperse ppl.”

    Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari noted, “We all condemn & we are all disgusted and ashamed of the violent treatment against peaceful protesters. Home Minister has ensured probe & action will be taken against all those involved in such unprovoked, inexcusable & unjustifiable brutality.”

  • Lahore man receives e-challan for his motorcycle stolen eight years ago

    Lahore man receives e-challan for his motorcycle stolen eight years ago

    A resident of Lahore was fined for a traffic violation involving his motorcycle that had been stolen for atleast eight years.

    The victim, Imran received an e-challan and discovered that his long-stolen bike was being used by police officers in the Sabzazar neighbourhood.

    The individual filed a complaint with the Chief Civilian Personnel Officer (CCPO), requesting that his bike be returned to him from the cops who were using it.

    In other news, the rate of street crimes in the provincial capital appears to have spiralled out of control, considering a report released in March.

    As per police statistics, more than 300 incidences of robbery and theft were reported in the city over the last two days of February, while the month of March began with nearly 350 incidents in the provincial capital.

    People lost millions of rupees in cash, gold jewellery, automobiles, and motorcycles in the first two months of 2022.

    According to data, 209 robberies resulted in loot worth more than Rs10 million, with 59 incidences of motorcycle theft reported at the time.

    E-challans declared illegal by LHC

    E-challan is seen as an effective solution to reduce traffic violations and promote safe transportation, however, the system was recently pronounced “illegal” by the Lahore High Court (LHC).

    On Wednesday, the LHC observed that the electronic challan (e-ticket) system was implemented without sufficient planning and instructed the authorities to address the matter. During the hearing, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh asked the Punjab chief secretary to notify the chief minister of the lapse, who will take prompt action to correct the problem.

    The judge made the remarks after hearing a plea from a transporter, who told the court that he was unaware of roughly 55 e-challans filed against him.

  • Police to wear uniforms with cameras to restore public faith

    The Islamabad Police will now be donning uniforms with cameras in order to restore public faith in law enforcement.   

    According to reports, Islamabad Policemen will now record encounters with ordinary citizens, suspects, witnesses, and passersby so that the public faith is restored in the law enforcement agency. The videos that have been recorded can also be used as evidence at the courts also.

    Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar, speaking about the initiative said, “These cameras will be connected with the Safe City Project. This way, complaints about policemen especially serving at police pickets will be resolved.”

    Twenty cameras will be bought in the trial phase, which will later be provided to cops serving at various police stations in the city. Video recordings of police’s interaction with the public would make officials act politely and responsibly as they are often blamed for taking bribes and being rude with the citizens.