LAHORE: An assistant commissioner and his team allegedly tortured three factory workers, took them into custody and misbehaved with the factory owner while using abusive language in the Wagah area on Monday.

The incident occurred after the on-duty staff of an auto-parts manufacturing factory (Masood Tech Industries) sought identification from the AC’s team who were reportedly there to inspect anti-dengue arrangements. Various CCTV footage also confirmed beating of workers and pushing them into a double cabin.“At about 10am (Monda), two people reached the factory, stating that they wanted to carry out an inspection related to anti-dengue arrangements. The staff on duty sought identification that could prove their identity as government officials,” Masood Akhtar, the factory owner, said while talking to Dawn.

He himself was present in the factory. The staff told the officials to wait for sometime till the end of the visit so that the management, including the factory CEO, could facilitate them during the inspection. At this, the officials left the premises and returned after 10/15 minutes with a double cabin in which AC Zeeshan Manzoor was sitting. As soon as they entered the factory, they (6/7 persons) started misbehaving with the factory workers.

“I also reached the spot and witnessed the officials using abusive language. I questioned them about their crime for which they were being punished. They also shoved me besides using abusive language. Meanwhile, the factory workers came out and rescued me from the officials and requested me to go to the office,” he explained.

Afterwards, Mr Akhtar said, the team started thrashing and capturing the workers, arresting three of them.Talking to

Dawn, Daroghawala Industry Owners Association president Rameez Deewan condemned the incident and sought action against AC and his team. Neither the Lahore Deputy Commissioner nor the AC attended the telephonic calls made by this reporter repeatedly for their stance on the incident. However, a spokesperson for the district administration quoted the AC as having termed their action as justified.

“The Wagah AC has told me that the factory management refused to allow us to inspect and visit the factory on Tuesday. We took action as part of the management,” he quoted the AC as having said.

Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Faheemur Rehman Saigol, met a delegation of the Daroghawala Industrial Association, which expressed serious concerns at the incident that took place at the Masaud Tech Industries (Pvt) Ltd.

Speaking on the occasion, the LCCI president condemned the incident and said that if there was any complaint, violation or legal issue involving the unit, the relevant authorities should have followed the prescribed legal procedures.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2026