SHO, others suspended over Gohar's house raid

Islamabad police say fact-finding inquiry conducted into invasion

ISLAMABAD:

Islamabad police on Sunday announced the suspension of five officers, including the Margalla Station House Officer (SHO), following a preliminary inquiry into the controversial raid at the residence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan.

In a statement released on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Islamabad police said a fact-finding inquiry was conducted into the raid at Barrister Gohar's residence.
It explained that the police had arrived at F-7/2 at 2 pm to apprehend a "proclaimed offender" based on an informant's tip. Upon discovering that the targeted house was Barrister Gohar's residence, the police party immediately called off the raid.

The statement said that Barrister Gohar had lodged a complaint with the Supreme Court, leading to the Chief Justice summoning the Islamabad Capital City Police Officer (ICCPO) and ordering an investigation.

ICCPO Dr Akbar Nasir Khan assured Gohar that the matter would be thoroughly investigated, and departmental action would be taken if any police officer was found guilty. Dr Nasir appointed the district police officer as an inquiry officer, instructing a three-day fact-finding inquiry and subsequent detailed report submission.

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"As a result of the preliminary inquiry, five officers, including SHO Margalla, have been suspended until further orders," the police said. The raid, conducted on Saturday at Barrister Gohar's residence in F-7, coincided with his appearance before the Supreme Court for a hearing on the petition against the restoration of the party's electoral symbol.

Upon being informed about the raid, he promptly informed the apex court and departed for his home. Seeking the court's understanding, Barrister Gohar requested to be excused from the ongoing hearing and promptly left the premises.

Upon returning to the court, Barrister Gohar reported that his son and nephew had been subjected to police torture during the raid. Subsequently, the top court took cognizance of the incident, summoning the chief of the capital police for an explanation.

Initially denying the raid, the police later faced scrutiny when a video went viral on social media, leading to what they termed as "contradictory statements" about the incident.
Later, IG Islamabad clarified that they had received information about the presence of criminals and ended up at the wrong house due to confusion. He said that the operation was intended to apprehend the person, and they were unaware that the house belonged to Barrister Gohar.

In the same street, there was another individual identified as a proclaimed offender, but a misunderstanding in house numbering led to the error, he added. However, upon realising the house belonged to the PTI leader, the police team reportedly withdrew.