VIDEO: Pakistan officials' move to puncture vehicles' tyres draws public anger

Tariq Butt, Correspondent

A viral video has shown four employees of the Sadiqabad Municipal Committee of Rahimyar Khan district under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner (AC) Raashid Iqbal Maywati puncturing the tyres of cars, rickshaws and motorcycles on various roads of the town.

Rahimyar Khan Deputy Commissioner Khurram Parvez has ordered an inquiry into the actions of these employees after the viral video surfaced on social media.

In the video, the AC can be seen leaving his official vehicle and instructing the employees to puncture the tyres of cars, despite the drivers being present in the vehicles, parked along or on the roads.

Following his orders, the employees used bodkins to puncture all the tyres of some cars. Later, the AC directed the employees to puncture the tyres of motorcycles parked outside a commercial centre, as well as a rickshaw and a loader.

The public criticised the district administration, questioning which law permitted an AC to damage vehicles under the guise of an anti-encroachment operation.

Markazi Anjuman Taajran General Secretary Mian Ihsanul Haq Asad condemned the incident in a press release. He said the tehsil administration not only humiliated the citizens but also caused them mental anguish and financial loss by puncturing the tyres of vehicles with drivers sitting inside. He warned that Anjuman Taajran reserved the right to take legal action.

In response, Khuram Parvez designated Additional Deputy Commissioner General Irfan Anwar as the inquiry officer.

Anwar initiated the inquiry after suspending an employee involved in the incident. He also expressed disapproval of the officers’ irresponsible actions, saying they had been reprimanded. He assured that vehicle owners would be compensated after the inquiry. However, citizens of Sadiqabad criticised the district administration for allegedly sparing the AC and certain favoured employees involved in the incident.