Members of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) strongly condemned the police for allegedly manhandling the ICCI president and demanded that the IGP conduct a thorough investigation and take strong action against the officials responsible within three days.
Addressing a press conference at the Chamber House on Tuesday, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Shabaan Khalid briefed the media about the incident, which took place on September 13. He said that the police misbehaved with him while he was going to a pharmacy using Margalla Road.
Giving details of the incident, the president said that some 40-50 police officials present at a checkpoint near the Marghazar Zoo were forcing people into prisoner transports.
He added that the police smashed the windows of his car before dragging him out of the vehicle. “If the ICCI president is treated in such a manner, what chance is there for common citizens,” Khalid questioned.
Supporting Khaild’s views, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FPCCI) Vice President Munawar Mughal said that the IGP should order a thorough investigation of the incident and bring the responsible officials to book. They maintained that the ICCI was a neutral trade body established to serve the cause of the local business community, it is not affiliated with any political party, and the manhandling of its president is a direct attack on this esteemed institution, they said. They advised the Islamabad police to avoid repeating such incident in future, or else the business community would have to take a firm stand to protect their rights.
Meanwhile All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran President Ajmal Baloch also condemned the incident and urged that immediate action be taken against the responsible officials. “Many innocent traders have been arrested by the police in recent days. The IG and ICT Administration should devise a mechanism in consultation with local business leaders to avoid such illegal incidents,” he insisted.
Reaching the press conference, IGP Tahir Alam Khan applogised to the ICCI president and assured that the matter will be thoroughly investigated and action will be taken against the responsible officials.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 17th, 2014.
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