Balochistan

‘Preferential treatment’ for MPA accused of killing cop

Majeed Achakzai reportedly provided an air cooler; CJP takes suo motu notice

Mohammad Zafar/Hasnaat Malik June 28, 2017

PkMAP legislator Abdul Majeed Khan Achakzai’s speeding vehicle killed Haji Attaullah Dashti in Quetta on June 20. PHOTO: TWITTER

QUETTA/ ISLAMABAD: Police and jail officials are providing ‘extraordinary favours’ to Majeed Achakzai – the Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) MPA charged with manslaughter for running over a traffic warden in Quetta – it emerged on Wednesday as the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) took suo motu notice of the incident.

Achakzai allegedly ran over the warden after the latter ordered him to stop at GPO Chowk, which lies in the maximum security area of Balochistan’s capital, on June 20. What was at first thought to be an accident was later suspected to be a deliberate act on the MPA’s part once CCTV footage of the incident emerged. There were also reports that Achakzai was drunk and driving recklessly when the officer signaled him to pull over.

The police initially registered a ‘traffic accident’ case but were compelled to up the charge to ‘manslaughter’ after the footage – which showed Achakzai exchanging harsh words with the warden and then running him over – went viral on social media and prompted protests by the Balochistan press. The lawmaker was subsequently arrested.

MPA arrested for crushing traffic sergeant to death

According to sources, however, police and jail officials have been meting out preferential treatment to Achakzai, providing him several amenities other criminal suspects can only dream of. Sources said the MPA has been provided an air cooler and workers of his party have been allowed to snap photographs and selfies with him to later post on social media.

Media reports, meanwhile, claimed that the Balochistan governor’s office had been misused to ensure Achakzai was only charged with committing an accident rather than manslaughter. Reports also suggested that the slain warden’s family had been offered a bribe to ‘forgive’ the MPA.

PkMAP lawmaker runs over policeman in Quetta

CJP takes notice

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Wednesday took suo motu notice of the traffic warden’s killing, ordering the Balochistan police chief to submit a report on the incident within three days and ensure the slain officer’s family is not pressured or threatened during investigation.

COMMENTS (17)

Truth_Prevails | 7 years ago | Reply @Ch. Allah Daad: One understands 'patwarism' but for God sake, this isn't about Great Khan, its about a cold blooded murder of a constable considered to be no more than an insect by the culprit. Those commenting that he stood in the middle of the road, need to re-watch the video, he was directing traffic in the junction and stood at the right place to let traffic flow from the side he chose. In Canada, if you have an argument and you come back and hit the driver with an intent to kill, you WILL end up serving most of your remaining life behind bars!

Haji Atiya | 7 years ago | Reply @Sameer: Thanks for the clarification because some people think he ran over the officer first then argued with the corpse, being in the drunk state that he was.

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Sameer | 7 years ago | Reply Ch Allah Dad! Did you bother to read the article or see the video? He had an argument with the officer and then ran over him. This is a murder

Zaid | 7 years ago | Reply Awam, do you have no regard to human life? Today this policeman died tomorrow it will be someone else. It will be a terrible precedence if this "lawmaker" is not made an example of.

Ehs | 7 years ago | Reply MPA should be punished. Criminal proceedings must be brought against him. Just because he is from PkMap which is closely affiliated with PML-N he should not be given preferential treatment. No more abuse of power by these so called corrupt vip's.

MS | 7 years ago | Reply @Z: No sir, you are not telling complete law. If driver is not at fault and remains at scene of accident, the driver might not be fined at all. If driver is at fault and leaves scene of accident, it becomes a very serious criminal offence. In this case, the driver was driving dangerously, did not stop after accident and tried to obstruct justice by hiding evidence which are very serious criminal offences. The only plus point for accused is that Police Official was standing in middle of the road and was not looking at vehicle. If accused had not fled, had accepted his mistake and helped injured person, then there would have been no crimimal case against him.

numbersnumbers | 7 years ago | Reply @Ch. Allah Daad: Too bad you failed to read the story, where CCTV tapes show the MNA driver exchanging words with traffic warden while stationary, then running him over and leaving the scene! So much for your "traffic accident" delusions!

Ch. Allah Daad | 7 years ago | Reply @Shah S: Perhaps you don't understand safety concept. Standing in middle of the road is not safe and that too without proper safe guards. Haven't you seen in some intersections where there are raised platforms for traffic police. Roads are for vehicles, not for people to stand in middle of the roads. Main culprit is Police department who do not give proper tools and training to it's officials. It is the one who tried to change the story and cover up the evidence.

Z | 7 years ago | Reply thanks for correction ... MJ-Sid

Shah S | 7 years ago | Reply @Ch. Allah Daad: Yeah Right; The police officer should have had barrier on his back and traffic signal on his head ... RIGHT ???

MJ-Sid | 7 years ago | Reply @Z What about up to 14 years imprisonment in Canada that you failed to mention here?

MN | 7 years ago | Reply Lives of people does not matter to these monster's. I wonder, why people elect such persons to represent them? It is rightly said that a society can't survive without justice. He should be punished accordingly in order to prevent such incidents from happening in future. People should realise that supporting such individuals, is the reason behind the decline of prosperity of our country.

Z | 7 years ago | Reply just for your info... In Canada the maximum fine of death caused by car accident is only $500 (no jail time)

Javaid Randhawa | 7 years ago | Reply Family will have to accept because of pressure they face in coming days. Like Tayyaba case this Achakzai should also be treated same fate as it looks he was drunk in holy month. CJ should keep an eye permanently on this case till to the end.

Ch. Allah Daad | 7 years ago | Reply Mr. Achackzai was driving fast and not paying attention which resulted in death of a Police Officer who was standing in middle of the intersection without any protection and reflective vest. Was there any barrier, red light or warning sign for drivers? You just can't stand in middle of the road without any protection. Mr. Achakzai could be more stubborn than our great Khan but he was a driver at that time who made a traffic offence, therefore it's a traffic accident in which both violator and victim are responsible. SC should also seek explanation from Quetta Police that why Traffic Sergeant was not provided safe environment and tools to conduct his job.

Azhar naseem | 7 years ago | Reply Family will be pressurised to accept compensation. End of the story.

JKhan | 7 years ago | Reply This Achackzai should be made an example for other similar characters in the country and Baluchistan in particular.

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