ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan army announced to carry out a joint inquiry with police on Friday after a series of videos showing its soldiers beating up cops in Bahawalnagar district emerged on social media in the last few days.
A brief statement issued by the military’s media wing, ISPR, mentioned the “unfortunate incident” without providing further details.
According to the information available in the public domain, however, there was a brawl between the uniformed personnel belonging to both institutions after a soldier’s relative was arrested by the police without the necessary paperwork.
“An unfortunate incident occurred in Bahawalnagar recently, which was promptly addressed and resolved through collaborative efforts of military and police authorities,” the ISPR said. “Despite this, certain factions with vested motives started fanning vitriolic propaganda on social media to create divisions between state institutions and government departments.”
“To ensure a fair and deliberate inquiry, and to determine responsibility for violation of laws and misuse of authority, a joint inquiry comprising security and police officials will be conducted for ascertaining the facts and apportioning responsibility,” it added.
Similar incidents have also been recorded in the past where the army officials roughed up police personnel.
In September 2016, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police registered a complaint against army officials accused of beating four Motorway Police employees after the latter issued them a traffic ticket for reckless driving.
Earlier this week, police in Punjab, where Bahawalnagar district is located, described the social media videos as “fake propaganda” earlier this week after the incident was “taken out of context and exaggerated.”
Punjab Inspector General Police Dr. Usman Anwar also blamed the social media for blowing the incident out of proportion, saying this had benefited the country’s enemies who were trying to create the impression that Pakistani state institutions were at odds.
He noted there were no differences between the army and the police, adding the two sides had taken steps to address the issue as soon as it happened.
Pakistan announces joint inquiry after viral videos show soldiers allegedly beating police officers
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Pakistan announces joint inquiry after viral videos show soldiers allegedly beating police officers
- The army says the ‘unfortunate incident’ in Bahawalnagar was promptly addressed by both state institutions
- The top cop in Punjab also blames social media ‘propaganda’ for blowing the incident out of proportion
Pakistan warns against landslides, avalanches next week amid rain and snowfall prediction
- Westerly wave likely to approach western areas from Dec. 29, persist till Jan. 2, says Met Office
- Pakistan advises tourists to exercise caution while traveling in northern areas during the period
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Meteorological Department on Sunday warned against the possibility of landslides and avalanches in the country’s northern areas next week, as it forecast heavy rains and snowfall in hilly regions.
The Met Office predicted that a westerly wave is likely to approach Pakistan’s western areas from Dec. 29 and strengthen from Dec. 30 onwards. This wave is expected to grip most upper and central parts of the country on Dec. 31 and persist in the upper areas till Jan. 2, the PMD said.
“Possibility of landslides/avalanches in hilly areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during the period,” the PMD warned.
“Tourists are advised to remain extra cautious and avoid unnecessary traveling during the period.”
The advisory warned that rainfall with wind and thunderstorm and snowfall is likely in Punjab’s Murree and the Galliyat region from Dec. 30 to Jan. 2 with occasional gaps. It also warned of rain with wind, thunderstorms and moderate snowfall in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir regions during the same period.
The PMD warned of rain with wind and thunderstorms, with moderate to heavy snowfall in upper areas from Dec. 30 to Jan. 1 in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
For Sindh and Balochistan provinces, the PMD warned that rain with wind and thunderstorms with snowfall were expected over hilly areas from Dec. 29-31.
The PMD warned snowfall may cause road closures or slippery conditions in the northern areas of Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galliyat and Neelum Valley from Dec. 30 to Jan. 2.
“Fog condition is likely to subside in central/southern parts of Punjab and upper Sindh during the wet spell,” it said.
“Daytime temperatures are likely to drop further in the coming week, particularly after the spell.”
Authorities in the past have urged people to avoid northern areas or exercise caution in travel when weather conditions are expected to deteriorate during the winter season.
At least 21 people, including nine children, died in freezing temperatures after being stuck in their vehicles in the Pakistani hill station of Murree in January 2022 when roads became impassable due to heavy snow.
