Report claims cop slapped Special Branch officer, not PCB employee, outside Qaddafi

Amid social media claims that a police officer slapped a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) employee outside the Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore, We News has revealed that the individual in plain clothes was not an employee of the cricket board but a Special Branch officer.

The incident came to light yesterday when a video showing a police officer slapping a person wearing plain clothes went viral online.

In the viral video, the plain clothed individual can be heard shouting in a heated argument with police officials. “Motorcycle lo iss ka (Take his motorbike),” a police officer says. “Ja raha hu main (I’m leaving now),” the plain cloth individual tells the police officer.

However, suddenly, the police official pulled the man and slapped him while using abusive words. A senior police officer can be heard calling the police official  "Adnan." 

“Bann gaya tamasha, main keh raha hu ban gaya tamasha (A spectacle has been created. I’m saying a spectacle has been made),” the plain clothed individual said instantly, after being beaten by the SI.

The report reveals that the misunderstanding erupted when the special branch officer parked his motorcycle at a restricted place, leading to a heated debate with police officers. During the row, the police officer slapped the special branch officer in the face.

Model Town superintendent of police (SP), Akhlaq Ullah Tarar, while taking notice of the incident, directed Assistant Superintendent Police (ASP) Gulberg to present an inquiry report within 24 hours, media has stated. 

The video sparked outrage online after it went viral yesterday, with some internet users calling for action against the police officer, while others opined that the plainclothes men must follow security-related Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

“Sad, truly sad. A young police officer slapped the civilian. Are they not given proper training? How can such emotional and irrational officers provide security to the public," a social media user asked on X (formerly Twitter).

Another user wrote that when an officer wearing a uniform beats a civilian in plain clothes, it is an insult to civilians. “Our tragedy is that we can never be civilized. Everyone is ready to cross every limit for power—no matter who they are or what the limit is,” said the third user.

"The plain clothed man was the one who behaved rudely first, disrespecting the police. Why was he acting so arrogantly and pushing the police officers," asked another netizen.