Hanif Abbasi booked for polls violence

Published May 9, 2013
PML-N candidate for NA-56 Hanif Abbasi. — File photo
PML-N candidate for NA-56 Hanif Abbasi. — File photo

RAWALPINDI: May 8: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate for NA-56, Mohammad Hanif Abbasi, was booked along with 700 supporters for damaging police bus and obstructing the cops from discharging their official duty, police said.

Police said a convoy of political activists led by PML-N candidate Hanif Abbasi was stopped from taking Benazir Bhutto Road for Liaquat Bagh where his party chief Nawaz Sharif was to address a rally.

The rally was coming from Rehmanabad and was stopped at Chandni Chowk as the road had been blocked for vehicular traffic.

They were asked to cover rest of the journey on foot.

The former lawmaker retaliated and started a quarrel with the police deployed at the barrier.

Akbar Abbas, police inspector, who was commanding the police unit at the security check point, tried to convince the PML-N leader but he allegedly refused to obey the police officer and insisted on removing the barrier.

“After the police refused to remove the barrier, the PML-N activists got infuriated and attacked the police bus,” inspector Akbar Abbas said in his complaint adding that the bus driver Jamil Akhtar ran away.

The angry mob damaged the bus windscreen and indicators (lights) and also obstructed the police from discharging their official duty. Finally the police had to retreat.

However, the city police officer, Abdul Razaq Cheema, took notice of the incident and ordered the registration of a criminal case against the former lawmaker.

Apparently, the police are reluctant to take action against the accused, fearing revenge if he returns to the assembly.

Inspector Akbar Abbas, who was complainant in the FIR, refused to give any further details of the incident.

Another police officer responded in the same manner when asked whether the police would arrest the accused nominated in the FIR, he said: “Apparently, the police will not proceed in the case before May 11, but a report attached with the copy of the FIR has been sent to the election commission as it was a violation of code of conduct.”

When the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz contesting candidate Mohammad Hanif Abbasi was contacted on his cellphone, his personal secretary, who gave his name as Amir, said that Mr Abbasi was not available as he was addressing a public meeting at the moment.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.