Umar Akmal's traffic fiasco comes to an end

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Umar Akmal's traffic fiasco comes to an end

Dawn.com Published March 6, 2014

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LAHORE: The tiff between Pakistan's cricket star Umar Akmal and Lahore's traffic police came to an end on Thursday after the wicket-keeper/batsman's father tendered a written apology to the traffic warden with whom the young Akmal had entered into a scuffle last month, DawnNews reported.

The batsman's father met with DIG Zulfiqar Hameed (who oversees investigations in Lahore) and submitted in writing an unconditional apology on behalf of his son for his disorderly conduct.

Moreover, he informed the senior-ranking police official that his son could not appear before him as he was out of the country representing Pakistan in the Asia Cup.

Lahore police accepting the apology assured that the case against the young batsman would be taken back.

Umar was briefly detained by police on Feb 1, after he had entered into a fray with a traffic warden following a traffic violation and a case was later registered against him for allegedly slapping the sergeant.

Later a local sessions court granted bail to the middle-order batsman and released him against a surety bond of Rs100,000.

A judicial magistrate of Model Town Courts on Feb 27 had issued bailable arrest warrant of the cricketer on the same day he hit a century against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup.

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Khalid

Mar 06, 2014 12:49pm

Police has agreed to take the case back?. When is the last time you heard an average Pakistani citizen having the same treatment?. Let us agree that laws in Pakistan only apply to the poor. Would the Chief Justice take notice of this irregularity?.

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Sri Lankan Muslim

Mar 06, 2014 12:56pm

Fantastic justice, only in Pakistan! Score a century or take five wickets you can escape even after killing someone! Ha Ha Ha! Take to cricket right now!!!!

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Ahmed

Mar 06, 2014 01:43pm

@Sri Lankan Muslim: Umar Akmal should have been taken to task for his act - very unfortunate.

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Waqas Aziz

Mar 06, 2014 01:52pm

This is unfair and unjust. He should have been treated the same way as an ordinairy citizen of Pakistan. Being a famous personality doen't mean that you can make mockey of law. PCB should have taken a notice and baned him from playing matches until he servers his part according to the LAW. This is why, Pakistan will never be what it was struggled for. Disappointment!

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Amir

Mar 06, 2014 02:39pm

Mr DIG show some respect for law, some respect for your employees, some respect for the law enforcement agency you work for, and some respect for yourself.

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nabidad

Mar 06, 2014 03:01pm

We have to accept one thing we are very emotional nation. I believe Umar Akmal has learned his lesson. And the decision from both sides is very sensible. I really appreciate the win win situation for both sides

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adnan

Mar 06, 2014 03:11pm

@nabidad: sorry.. the law should be the law.. ppl and police abusing the law.. only in Pakistan!

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farooq Mughal

Mar 06, 2014 03:28pm

Funny, so it was a personal matter and nothing to do with law, he apologized and all is well now. Law and order is a joke in Pakistan anyway.

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Asim

Mar 06, 2014 04:01pm

Did anyone actually see the letter? I'm sure there were crisp notes in the envelope to shut everyone's mouth.

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Atif

Mar 06, 2014 04:23pm

@Farooq Scuffles can be settled outside the court. Examples: Inzi vs that idiot in Canada, and that West Indian who threw a brick at a spectator back in 1984/85. Both were settled outside the court. U Akmal learnt that he can't get away with it so he tendered the apology. He is young and enthusiastic which makes him useful on the field but he will learn to tame it off the field. IMO, a good result overall. He didn't get away without accepting his mistake, but you didn't need to kill him either.

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nabidad

Mar 06, 2014 04:27pm

@adnan: I am agreed with you point of view. But for your argument, we need to have honest leaders/rulers that make SURE rule of law in the country. Do we have that kind of rules or leaders? Answer is

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Mar 06, 2014 06:29pm

That wasn't a surprise or unexpected end to the famous fiasco involving one of the three famous and notorious Akmal brothers but only for those who are wise enough to know, realize and understand like a pro.

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Hakim

Mar 07, 2014 02:26am

This event shows why we as a society are not successful - we do not follow our own rules. There should not be any leniency if the traffic laws are broken. No difference between a famous or ordinary person. I remember how Grame Swan was fined for breaking traffic laws in UK. Why can't we just follow the rules and not make a joke of rules??

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Sarah

Mar 07, 2014 03:10am

@Sri Lankan Muslim: Are you so much scared of Pakistan team before Final.I was not aware that Sri Lankans scared of Umar Akmal :-)

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PakFan

Mar 07, 2014 03:50am

Umar Akmal, Life is a learning process. Another case to learn from....You got world of cricket talent with bat and behind the stumps. You can play around the wicket with style. But, why are you in a hurry on the wicket and why don't you try to play only ground shots. And why all of a sudden you try to put extra power and miss time. You can learn a lot by watching Sangakara. He improvises his innings and his devotion to the game is amazing. You got more talent just slow down a little especially if you are playing at number 5. You have Moin Khan and Zaheer Abbas for guidance. Man we don't want to lose you.....

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Aziz

Mar 07, 2014 09:20am

So if I am not Umer Akmal and I slap a police officer and my father provides an unconditional written apology, I am free to go?

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Mar 07, 2014 10:46pm

I am not against him. Mashallah that si good that he made a century. They should have locked him in jail for a while. these young cricketers do not know how to repect others. they make one century and they feel liek they are god. They should realize this that besides cricket they are nothing but an Amm Admi unless you are big shot. Shame on him that his father has to go to apologize.

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Eldrick Lal

Mar 08, 2014 06:42am

our cricketers have no respect for law. Ironically, they think that they are above the law

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Ali

Mar 08, 2014 10:09pm

He must be punished, making runs or winning match have no exemption, I never heard about that for son his father going to apology. Again, no one over the law....!!!!

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