TAXILA: A man allegedly tortured by police personnel died in Taxila on Saturday, triggering a protest during which a cop was held hostage and later released after negotiations with police officials concerned.
According to the family, the deceased was identified as 45-year-old Akmal Khan, who was allegedly subjected to physical assault in front of his seven-year-old son by police personnel led by an assistant sub-inspector and two other constables, including a food department official, following an argument over parking a vehicle on the roadside at Jandial check post on Khanpur Road.
Following his death, the family brought his body to Museum Road, in front of the tehsil headquarters hospital, along with the assistant sub-inspector, whom protesters allegedly beat and held hostage. They blocked the inter-provincial Taxila-Haripur road for hours, demanding accountability for the police personnel allegedly involved in the incident and justice for the bereaved family.
The incident triggered anger and grief in the area, with protesters calling for an impartial investigation and legal action against those responsible.
On receiving information, SSP Operations Tariq Mehboob and SP Potohar Division Ch Asar Ali, along with a heavy contingent of police, the Elite Force and women police personnel, reached the spot.
Following successful negotiations with the protesters, the demonstration ended peacefully and the detained cop was released. He was shifted to an undisclosed location after being provided necessary medical treatment.
The body of Akmal Khan was also handed over to his heirs after an autopsy at THQ Hospital.
The demonstration led to the closure of the Taxila-Haripur road for hours, resulting in traffic congestion on other roads, including Taxila-Hattar Road, Railway Road and Faisal Shaheed Road. Commuters, particularly those travelling by public transport, faced inconvenience for more than four hours.
Ambulances remained stuck in traffic for hours, leaving patients and their families helpless as traffic police struggled to manage the situation. Tourists also faced difficulties due to the traffic jam, while the body remained placed in front of the museum.
In a statement, the media wing of Rawalpindi police said legal proceedings were under way following the death of a citizen in Taxila. It assured that those found responsible would face action after an impartial investigation.
Meanwhile, the Federal Minister of State for Law and Justice, Barrister Aqeel Malik, also expressed deep grief over the death of Akmal Khan, who allegedly died following police violence in Taxila, and directed the City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi to ensure an impartial and transparent investigation into the incident.
Talking to the media in Taxila, the law minister said he was fully aware of the circumstances surrounding the incident and described the death of an innocent citizen as an extremely tragic occurrence that could not be treated as an ordinary matter.
Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2026
