Express News screengrab of Umar Akmal after the arrest.
He was released after SHO Gulberg filed for his bail.
A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against Akmal at the Gulberg police station. He is still required to report to the police station on Sunday morning so that the police can present him before a magistrate.
"He violated a traffic signal and when he was stopped by the traffic warden he misbehaved with him, got abusive and also tore his shirt," senior police official Tariq Aziz told reporters on Saturday.
Aziz said physically assaulting and tearing the shirt of a police officer was a serious violation. "He is presently detained at the police station for questioning," he added.
The warden, identified as Zeeshan, claimed that Akmal swore at him also threatened him.
However, Akmal, 23, denied the charges and told reporters that the traffic warden had slapped him and abused him over a minor issue.
"His behaviour was inappropriate to say the least. I came to the police station to register a complaint and instead they have detained me," he added.
Speaking to the media, Gulberg assistant superintendant police (ASP) Zahid Nawaz said that Akmal’s face was not hurt and therefore there was no evidence to support his claim. He added that the warden’s shirt was torn near his collar and if anyone had resorted to violence, it was Akmal, not the warden.
Akmal claimed the incident was captured on CCTV cameras at the traffic signal and the footage will make it clear who was the aggrieved and guilty parties.
Later in the day, Umar Akmal's brother Kamran Akmal, who is also a cricketer, spoke to the media regarding his brother's arrest.
Nobody is being allowed to see Umar, said Kamran Akmal, adding that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials were also turned away in the police station.
COMMENTS (50)
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@farooq: Just because the light is green doesn’t give you the right to enter the intersection. You only enter the if you know for sure you can make it safely. Please do yourself a favor and read the law again and refrain from misinforming the public. Till such time add yourself to (DWA) DrivingWhileAsain group as you are not alone.
@Ik: Just because the light is green doesn’t give you the right to enter the intersection. You only do it if you know for sure you can make it safely, else it's your fault for being stuck in middle with the red light. Please do us a favor and read the law and refrain from misinforming the public. Till such time add yourself to (DWA) Driving-While-Asain group as you are not alone.
If he were still a resident of Makka Colony with a 2 marla house and 11 siblings, he would never have seen daylight in a couple of years.
Money is so powerful.
No one is above the law and Akmal shouldn't be either. However there is something called due process and every person innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. This case seems to be of pure jealousy on the part of the police to humiliate a star cricketer.
The outrageous reaction of the police, media & the comments above reflects that majority of us get some sadistic pleasure for degrading our heroes whether they are in the field of science (A.Q.Khan), national security (ongoing political motivated trial of ex-army chief) or our cricketing heroes.
A 3rd rated street criminal wagging a gun in his hand gets more respect at the hands of these policemen than a national hero of Umar Akmal’s stature. It is a matter of shame.
These cricketers with political connections think they can bully and browbeat anybody because of the media promotion they get. Why doesn't the media teach them some manners. Umar Akmal deserves the punishment he gets from the law. No bail for him. Salams
He should be treated just like any other person. He's a nice guy and I don't think he would do something like that. He's innocent until proven guilty so the CCTV video would prove everything so there's no point of blaming him or the traffic warden.
He remained detained in the police station for the whole day.It is a sufficient dose for him temporarily.But he needs to be punished adequately.
@Kaleem: He is telling lies.He should be punished
@Yousuf :And Aamir and Asif, chips of the same block.What nation we have become.It is a matter of shame
@Cheema: I do not foresee any change in the current set up in future.Rather conditions may worsen..Only might is right.Please strive to live the way you are living.
Clearly a case of police excess. I'm surprised so many are talking in favor of the police. Have you never faced a rude police officer.
I was stopped by one of the warden on mall road chairing cross and the warden accused me of jumping the red signal but he was wrong because the signal was green, When i asked him that what evidence does he have he got angry and instead said to me you need to bring the evidence which was out of sense for me. anyhow when i insisted that he is issuing the wrong penalty and he is crossing his limit when talking he called his colleagues and accused me of toring his uniform and filed an FIR against me.
so in a nutshell i have a bad experience with these warden and i am sure in Umar Akmal's case the same has happened becuase these wardens have no manners to talk and they think of themselves as if they are above law.
The Akmal brothers have long been known to have a strong political backing. Examples should be made regardless of party affiliation. Kudos to the traffic warden who did not step down despite pressure, just wish there were many more like him.
No one is above the law
Out of Auqaaat! should be punished if found guilty.
Excellent. Convict him. Send a message out that there are laws existing even after they have been tramelled on by the rich and feudals.
Honor Respect Civility Sportsman's spirit Education These are words and terms that existed in the old editions of Pakistani sportsmen. The current one has the following written under their names: Arrogance Overconfidence Illegal drugs Illiteracy Blame and excuses
I have been stopped by them a few times (even in same area) and they were always polite. They never handed a challan for no reason. I dont think Akmal's claims are true.
This is a usual behavior of our elite class who consider them self upper from the law. I am sure this has happened in the public with clear evidences. Deserve to be punished if guilty. Media should play a critical role not making our stars innocent when they violate law. We saw in the past Salman But appearing on TV talk shows as an expert who in actual deserve punishment and should medial stop projecting him a hero. Deserve such figures in our society a social ban.
Another proof of being rude from him !
No one is above the law, this kid ought to be taught a lesson, good job wardren, umer should know he isn't related to a politican but a political board