MARDAN: A Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) of ruling party, was accused of attempting to interfere in a police operation after a suspected drug dealer was arrested for possessing a substantial quantity of methamphetamine, commonly known as “ice”, sources said.
The sources added that Station House Officer (SHO) of Par Hoti Police Station Ajab Khan Durrani submitted his routine patrolling report stating that during a night patrol on July 26, police arrested, Akhtar, son of Abdul Salam, a resident of Kaskoroona, for possessing 337 grams of ice.
A first information report was registered under Sections 11(2)(4) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Control of Narcotic Substances Act at Par Hoti Police Station.He stated that shortly after the arrest, the PTI MPA in question contacted the police duty officer by phone and demanded Akhtar’s release.
The officer declined the request, following which the MPA reportedly issued verbal threats and declared his intent to visit the police station personally. Subsequently, the MPA arrived at the police station accompanied by approximately 10 individuals and continued toinsist on the suspect’s release.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Shafi-ur-Rehman arrived at the scene shortly thereafter. In the presence of the SP, the accused reportedly confessed to both consuming and distributing ice, expressed remorse, and pledged to refrain from such activities in the future.
Following the confession, SP ordered the suspect to be returned to custody. The MPA and his associates then departed without further incident. He stated that several police officials, including the duty officer and personnel in the police station witnessed the entire episode.
The incident was documented in the official station logbook, and a report concerning the MPA’s alleged misconduct was forwarded to higher authorities for review and possible action. It may be noted that SHO Ajab Khan Durrani was closed to the police lines after the incident. However, some people started supporting the SHO on social media and stated that he was an honest officer and demanded the high-ups to restore him while some people started sharing posts in favour of the MPA.