Tanker driver self-immolates after being ‘tortured’ by excise police

In his written statement, Matiullah Khan claimed officials even sodomised him with a wooden rod


Sameer Mandhro October 15, 2020
PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI:

A tanker driver died after allegedly setting himself on fire to protest against his treatment by the excise police on Thursday.

The driver, Matiullah Khan, was brought to the burns ward at Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi in critical condition on Wednesday night, with burn injuries on 80 per cent of his body.

Dozens of tanker drivers staged a protest at Bilawal Chowrangi, blocking the roads with their vehicles.

All Pakistan Tankers Association president Mir Shams Shahwani claimed Khan had been tortured by the excise police. Demanding the registration of an FIR against the relevant minister, he warned that the oil supply across the country would otherwise be halted.

According to Shahwani, Khan had been stopped at an excise checkpost near Sakrand city, where officials first demanded Rs30,000 from him and then tortured him upon his refusal.

“He was tortured for about five hours. They treated him in an inhumane manner,” narrated Shahwani, adding that upon his release, Khan went to his tanker and set himself on fire with diesel.

He stated that the driver was transported to different hospitals in Sakrand, Nawabshah and Hyderabad, being brought to Karachi after 26 hours in critical condition.

In his written statement, available with The Express Tribune, Khan claimed the officials even sodomised him with a wooden rod. “I was ashamed and set myself on fire.”

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Sindh Excise and Taxation Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla called the officials’ alleged actions “unacceptable and unjustified.” He added that all eight officials deputed at the checkpost had been suspended and an inquiry launched into the matter.

“I will dismiss them if they are found guilty,” he vowed, adding that his department would register an FIR against them if Khan’s family sought it.

Condemning the incident, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader said the excise police’s attitude towards drivers was inhumane. “The minister should resign,” he insisted, terming excise officials “dacoits in uniform.”

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