Citizen mistreated for filming ‘discriminatory behaviour’ of motorway police

Official suspended, inquiry launched after video of the incident goes viral on social media

RAWALPINDI: Following the footsteps of their compatriots in Punjab Police, officials of National Highways and Motorway Police mistreated a citizen, who was filming their alleged discriminatory behaviour on GT Road between Mundra and Gujar Khan on Monday.

One of the officials can be seen pouncing on mobile phone of the motorist, who was stopped for over-speeding, in a video that has gone viral on social media. The man was unhappy over alleged discriminatory behaviour of the officials, claiming they were allowing other vehicles with the same speed go by.

The motorist was also not happy with them for allegedly letting go another motorist with the same offence after briefly stopping him right in front of him.

Police officer arrested for abusing, maltreating elderly woman in Lahore

As the police officials explained that the other vehicle was not stopped for over-speeding, a fine-collection unit’s official can be seen approaching the motorist and pouncing on his mobile phone.

The cellular phone dropped from the citizen’s hands and fell on the ground in the process. But the whole episode was recorded in the phone’s memory.

National Highways and Motorway Police DIG (N-5 North Zone) Mohammad Alam Shinwari took notice of the issue as soon as the video went viral on different social media platforms and suspended the official in question. He also ordered that an inquiry is launched into the incident.

When contacted, a spokesperson for the Motorway Police said the incident took place due to ‘confusion’ caused during the speed-checking operation, adding that further details would be shared after the inquiry.