RAWALPINDI: An official of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) police was arrested while raids were underway to trace two other persons, including a policeman of Rawalpindi, on the charge of abducting three citizens at gunpoint, keeping them in illegal custody and demanding Rs300,000 for their release.

An FIR was registered at the Civil Lines police against the three suspects.

Javaid Masih, a resident of G10/3 Islamabad, told the police that he and his brothers Samar Iqbal and Anwar Masih were leaving a hotel located on The Mall in Rawalpindi after taking liquor under a government permit for their family function at 9:30pm on Thursday when they were stopped at gunpoint by three motorcycle riders near Kutchery Chowk.

One of the three motorcycle riders in Punjab police uniform with his nameplate showing his name as Arslan drove them on different roads at gunpoint.

He said by using his brother Anwar’s cellphone, the suspects contacted his nephew and demanded Rs300,000 for their release. They also threatened that they would be booked in a drug case in case of failing to meet their demand.

He said his nephew sought the help of emergency police “15” and contacted the SHO Civil Lines. Subsequently, a police team conducted a raid on a hotel and recovered the three persons.

One of the suspects identified as Ijaz, serving as a constable in Islamabad police, was arrested while Arslan, a constable of the Pindi police, and the third suspect managed to escape.

A police spokesman said CPO Syed Khalid Hamdani took notice of the incident and a case was registered against the three persons, including the two police officials, for keeping citizens in illegal custody and demanding money. The Rawalpindi police official was suspended and departmental action initiated against him.

The CPO said that the abuse of authority or corruption cannot be tolerated in any case. Those who have links with criminal elements or support crimes have no right to remain in the department.

Earlier in April, a group of five police officials, who turned out to be active members of a honey trap gang and were posted to the Sadiqabad police station, were dismissed from service.

The police busted the gang, arrested its 16 members, including the five police officials, and a Malawian woman of Pakistan origin who allegedly lured men through social media and later extorted money through blackmailing.

On the other hand, six officials of Rawalpindi police, including an inspector, were suspended and served with show-cause notices and charge sheets after a video on social media showed a handcuffed suspect roaming in the judicial complex Rawalpindi.

A police spokesman said shortly after the incident came to light, SSP Operations Kashif Zulfiqar ordered the suspension of a police inspector, an ASI and two constables and issued them show-cause notices and charge sheet. Additionally, the SSP operations also served show-cause notices on two assistant sub-inspectors in the same case for their negligence.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2025