Balochistan MPA who faces charges of running over traffic sergeant indicted

Majeed Achakzai allegedly hit and killed Haji Attaullah Dashti in Quetta three months ago

Balochistan Assembly member Abdul Majeed Khan Achakzai, who faces charges of running over and killing a traffic police officer in Quetta in June was indicted in a court on Monday.

The Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) lawmaker had allegedly hit and killed on duty sergeant Haji Attaullah Dashti at GPO Roundabout of the provincial capital, drawing widespread condemnation.

The accused denied charges before the judge of the sessions court. The judge, while adjourning the proceedings, ordered the authorities to produce witnesses during the next hearing.



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.