ISLAMABAD: Former chairman Senate Nayyar Bokhari’s son, Jarar Bokhari, slapped the special branch constable, revealed CCTV footage of the incident.

Arrest warrants for both father and son have been issued by Magistrate Jawad Hussain Adil, with a copy available with DawnNews.

Police has also lodged an application with a local court in Islamabad in connection with the incident.

“We are against VIP culture,” said Islamabad Inspector General tariq Masood. He also urged other members of the police force to not bow to “pressure”.

Leader of the opposition, Syed Khursheed Shah, remarked that the incident is being “needlessly” made into an issue.

“Bukhari is a PPP man and the Islamabad police is attempting to please the federal government,” said Shah.

Islamabad district bar association also went on strike in solidarity with Bukhari, who is a lawyer by profession and an ex-president of the association.

According to Senate rules, the Senate chair must be informed if a member of the Senate is to be arrested. However, the rules are silent on former chairs of Senate.

Earlier, Nayyar Bokhari and his guard were trying to gain entry to Islamabad district courts when they were stopped by law enforcement personnel deployed for security.

The guards posted at the entry point asked to search the former senate chairman who arrived at the premises accompanied by his guards. The move led to a heated exchange, upon which Bokhari insulted the security staff present and one of the men slapped a special branch constable.

The special branch personnel deployed for security left their posts in protest after the incident.

The incident occurred at a time when the federal capital and Rawalpindi are on high alert and security agencies have been directed to maintain a strong vigil.