KARACHI: A routine late-night checkpoint in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority turned into a major controversy after a confrontation between a young man reportedly the son of a senior police officer and a police sub-inspector. The incident, which occurred between Thursday and Friday night in Phase VII, has since led to an arrest, widespread circulation of videos on social media, and the launch of an official inquiry.
According to police, officers were conducting snap checking when they stopped a double-cabin vehicle fitted with police-style lights and an allegedly fake registration plate. The driver, identified as Khubaib, is said to be the son of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Naseem Ara Panhwar. What began as a routine stop quickly escalated into a heated exchange with Sub-Inspector Shahzaib Shakeel, who was in charge of the Qayyumabad police post.
Video footage from the police side shows the officer accusing the driver of using abusive language and physically grabbing his collar, while repeatedly urging him to remain respectful. Meanwhile, another clip recorded by the driver presents a different angle, capturing the officer responding sharply, questioning the significance of being an SSP’s son and asserting his own authority.
Police later registered a case against Khubaib, arresting him on charges that include obstructing official duty, impersonation, using a fake number plate, and misconduct during the confrontation. Officials also stated that the vehicle carried unauthorized features such as tinted windows and police-style lights.
The police version of events further alleges that the suspect initially refused to identify himself, invoked his mother’s position as a senior officer, and instructed armed guards accompanying him to push the officer away. It is also claimed that during an attempt to detain him, he became physically aggressive and fled the scene.
However, the suspect’s father, Ali Anwar, has strongly disputed this account. Speaking to the media, he claimed that both he and his wife later visited the police station, where the sub-inspector allegedly apologized for the incident. He added that the family fully cooperated with authorities and handed over the vehicle, but suggested that the situation escalated only after videos of the clash went viral online.
In response to the conflicting claims, senior police officials have ordered a formal inquiry. The South SSP has appointed Clifton Superintendent of Police Khalid Javed as the investigation officer. The inquiry will assess the conduct of everyone involved, including the actions of the police personnel, to determine what truly transpired during the incident.
