Impersonators pose as high-ranking officers to extort millions
In a spate of fraud cases this week, Lahore police arrested several individuals posing as high-ranking officers, using their fake identities to extort money from unsuspecting citizens.
The first arrest occurred at the Bahria Service Centre, where Zainul Abideen, a resident of Jamal Road, Sanda, was nabbed while posing as a sub-inspector.
Zain had been defrauding people out of millions, both at the Centre and in his neighborhood. Upon interrogation, he admitted to his fraudulent activities, revealing how he exploited his fake police status to manipulate others.
In a separate incident, a woman masquerading as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) was apprehended at the Capital City Police Office (CCPO).
Her ruse began to unravel when officers noticed her expensive shoes, which did not match the standard police uniform. Unable to provide valid credentials, she was taken into custody, and the investigation into her motivations is ongoing.
The South Cantt Police also arrested Nadeem, a man posing as a Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), in a targeted operation at Pasha Chowk.
Authorities recovered multiple fake identity cards from him, including one linked to a sensitive agency.
Nadeem was reportedly using his fake identity to blackmail citizens, and the scope of his fraudulent activities is now under investigation.
In a major development, the Lahore police have formed a special "Panel of Officers" to ensure an unbiased investigation into the high-profile murder of Javed Butt, brother-in-law of Teefi Butt. Accusations of police bias had clouded the investigation.
Two shooters, Azhar and Ilyas, have already been arrested, revealing that they were contracted by Ameer Muasab, the son of Tipu Truckanwala, who fled the country before the murder.
The killing is part of a bitter feud rooted in the February murder of Ameer Balaj, another of Tipu Truckanwala's sons, during a wedding in Lahore.
Tragedy struck the city when a TikTok-related incident in Liaquatabad left a young man, Ahmed, fatally wounded.
Ahmed was accidentally shot in the eye by his friend Umair while they were filming a video. Ahmed succumbed to his injuries after three days in the hospital.
The police arrested Umair, who claims the shooting was an accident. The handgun used has been recovered, and investigations are underway.
Adding to the unrest in the city, multiple cases were registered against political figures, including Sheikh Imtiaz, Aliya Hamza, and Ali Amin Gandapur, following violent confrontations with police during recent rallies. PTI social media personality Nadeem Mubarak was also arrested for displaying an unauthorized number plate symbolizing support for the jailed party chairman, Imran Khan.
As tensions continue to escalate, both PTI supporters and authorities remain on edge, bracing for further clashes in what seems to be an unrelenting cycle of political and social upheaval.