Driver’s family protest, block Kaghan Highway

Allege driver died due to undue pressure by a policeman

BALAKOT:

The family and relatives of Mazhar Ghulam Hasan, a driver who died in Balakot, protested against the police and blocked Kaghan Highway.

They alleged that his death was caused due to mental torture by the police. Hasan’s family said that he was already suffering from heart disease and his condition worsened due to undue pressure by the police.

After a couple of hours, DSP Balakot reached the site and negotiated with the protesters and assured action, after which the they ended their protest.

On the other hand, DSP Balakot has suspended Sub-Inspector Muhammad Yousuf and directed him to report to Police Lane Mansehra after the protest.

According to the heirs and elders, the sub-inspector unjustifiably pressured the deceased driver on an application filed by another party.

Police said that Hasan was driving a dumper while a man named Adil Shah was in a car. During the overtake the Shah lost control over the vehicle and it slipped into the fields due to which Hasan and Shah had a heated argument.

Soon after the accident, the local police reached the site and started the probe. Hasan who as already a heart patient got extremely distributed and his condition deteriorated. He was rushed to the nearby hospital but he died on the way. Doctors said that he died of a heart attack.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2022.