High Commission staffer injured in London attack

LONDON: A security staffer, working for Pakistan High Commission (PHC) in London, has been assaulted and seriously injured by a member of Pakistani community.
Muzammal Hussain was attacked while he was on his duty outside the Pakistan High Commission premises in Lowndes Square, providing guidance to the visitors of the counsellor services.
According to details available to this scribe, a British Pakistani became agitated when Muzammal Hussain stopped him from taking) snaps from his (Muzammal’s) mobile camera. According to the witnesses, the assaulter had hit another car while reversing. A few seconds later the witnesses saw a violent attack on the High Commission’s official and before anyone could react to save him the violent visitor, whose name cannot be disclosed due to legal reasons, had badly injured Muzammal. The troublemaker then grabbed the official from his neck until others intervened to save him. It is understood that the staff is currently receiving medical treatment.
The same man originally not only blocked the car of another Pakistani but also stepped on his young daughter, who had fallen to the ground being in the vicinity of the frisky fight and pulling and pushing.
The staff at the High Commission called the police which reached promptly and arrested the man from the spot, carried way while still shouting abuses and issuing threats.
The man has been charged with violent assault by the Metropolitan Police. A Police spokesperson confirmed that a case has been registered and further investigations, including the recording of the statements, are being carried out.
The Metropolitan police confirmed to The News that London Ambulance Service treated a PHC staff, following “reports of a disturbance”.
“A 41-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of Actually Bodily Harm (ABH), taken to a west London police station and subsequently bailed to return on a date in late August, pending further investigation.”
Since all the officials were busy with the President Zardari’s visit, who had come to attend his daughter’s graduation ceremony, they could not be reached for more details and their views.
This is not the first time that the lower staff at the Pakistan High Commission has come under attack. Staff members, especially those working in the counsellor section, have often been harassed and assaulted by members of the community on minor issues, such as queuing and waiting for their turns. The troublemakers have always been found to be those who either do not have patience to queue up or would have short-comings in their applications to be filed successfully. When pointed out, they would turn violent and resort to assault to cover up their fault. The victims in all the cases are low-ranking staff.
It has been felt that Pakistan High commission should increase the number of properly trained security staff. There are many departments in the high commission where appointments have been made ignoring the merit, in some cases after taking bribes and favours. A number of locally recruited new faces working in Nadra and Chancery have been observed. Professional firms could have been used to recruit local well trained security personnel who would be useful in saving the daily brawls and embarrassing scenes at the high commission.
A spokesperson said that the PHC was taking all necessary steps, including the provision of medical assistance to its staff member. “The matter was immediately reported to the police which took the assaulting individual into custody. The law is taking its course.”