RAWALPINDI: Following an incident in which a senior citizen was manhandled publicly in the busy Raja Bazaar, allegedly by a traffic warden, the officer has been suspended, and an investigation has been launched.

A spokesperson for the city traffic police stated in a press release that, after noticing a quarrel between a traffic warden and a citizen, the warden was suspended and ordered to report to headquarters.

He added that a senior traffic officer has been instructed to lead an inquiry and submit a report. In line with the inquiry report, strict departmental action would be initiated against the traffic warden, he said.

The traffic warden was suspended after footage emerged showing him misbehaving with an elderly person over a parking issue in Raja Bazaar, and an inquiry into the incident has been ordered.

According to the footage, the warden is seen grabbing the collar of a motorcyclist, hitting him, while passers-by look on. The video also shows the warden forcing an elderly man, who appears to be in his 50s, to sit on his knees on the ground.

In addition to that, another person was making a video, and the warden could be seen jumping towards him and stopping him.

Moreover, a few days ago, the warden was captured arguing with a citizen over a forklift on Murree Road. Many residents of Rawalpindi have expressed concern over such incidents involving traffic officers.

The incident arose from a dispute over parking a motorcycle, amidst a shortage of proper parking spaces in the city.

Waqas Ahmed, a senior citizen, remarked that incidents involving officers occur nearly every day in Rawalpindi.

The inspector general of police in Punjab should take notice of such incidents and make the warden obliged to show restraint on duty.

He also said that such incidents are not only defaming the traffic police of Rawalpindi but also portraying a bad name for the chief minister of Punjab.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2025