Man jumps to death from metro bus track

Investigations expose security lapses within Metro Bus Authority

RAWALPINDI:

A 34-year-old man ended his life by jumping from the metro bus service track near Committee Chowk in the jurisdiction of Waris Khan police station on Tuesday.

The heart-wrenching incident was captured on video, revealing significant security concerns.

The deceased, identified as Muhammad Waheed from Sargodha, was reportedly suffering from a cognitive disorder and had been living on the streets of Rawalpindi.

Faulty cameras

The incident exposed severe security lapses within the Metro Bus Authority. During the investigation, police discovered that the Metro Bus Authority's CCTV cameras were non-functional. The authority admitted to issues with their recording equipment. Despite efforts by security staff to save Waheed, he jumped from the elevated track due to the distance.

In response to the tragedy, monitoring of Metro stations and tracks has been intensified to prevent future incidents. The footage of Waheed jumping from the elevated track near Committee Chowk station showed him swinging from the track before falling onto Murree Road, resulting in instant death. Bystanders, including two youths, were seen filming the incident on their mobile phones.

SHO Waris Khan, Inspector Tehzeeb-ul-Hassan, along with a police team and Rescue 1122 staff, promptly arrived at the scene and transported Waheed to the hospital. An identity card found on Waheed confirmed his identity.

Security concerns

The police investigation highlighted the inadequacies in the Metro Bus Authority's security system. Faulty CCTV cameras raised questions about the overall safety of Metro bus tracks and buses. Due to the lack of footage, it remains unclear how Waheed accessed the track and moved along it undetected.

Inspector Tehzeeb-ul-Hassan confirmed that Waheed's relatives, who run a barber shop, stated that he had a cognitive disorder. The police have filed a report and are investigating it.

The Metro Bus Authority has conducted its inquiry into the incident and submitted a report to the relevant authorities. Enhanced monitoring measures have been implemented to prevent similar tragedies in the future.