A video allegedly showing Faisalabad police officials receiving money from a citizen inside a moving vehicle has surfaced, raising questions about police conduct and accountability.
According to the individual who shared the footage with Minute Mirror, police officials allegedly demanded money from the citizen and took Rs500 from his pocket. The person who provided the footage further claimed that Rs100 was later returned to him, with the officials allegedly telling him to use the amount to return home.
The footage reviewed by Minute Mirror appears to show two men wearing khaki police uniforms inside a vehicle. One of the individuals can be seen counting Pakistani currency notes, while a mobile phone is visible on his lap. He also appears to handle a white document during the recording.
Another portion of the footage shows the same uniformed individual standing beside a roadside stall containing jars of snacks and cigarettes. Several vehicles, motorcycles and rickshaws can be seen passing through the area, while a blue vehicle bearing the emergency police number “15” is visible in the background.
The audio accompanying the footage contains several references to money and payments. A voice can allegedly be heard referring to a payment of Rs15,000 for gas, while other parts of the recording contain references to giving money, taking an amount from an account and an amount of Rs300.
The audio also contains remarks in Punjabi, including allegations that someone was committing injustice and references to having to “do everything.”
However, Minute Mirror could not independently verify the authenticity of the video or audio, nor could it establish the identities of the individuals shown in the footage. The circumstances in which the recording was made also could not be independently determined.
The citizen who shared the video has appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for action and called for police personnel to be equipped with body cameras. The citizen argued that body cameras could help improve transparency and accountability during interactions between police officials and members of the public.
The footage has emerged as Punjab authorities continue efforts to address alleged corruption and irregularities within government departments and public offices.
Minute Mirror contacted Regional Police Officer Faisalabad DIG Sohail Sukhera through his official WhatsApp number and shared the footage with him, seeking his comments and clarification on the allegations. The newspaper also asked whether any inquiry or departmental action had been initiated in connection with the video.
No response had been received from the RPO office at the time of filing the report. Minute Mirror said it would incorporate the official version if and when a response is received.
The allegations in the footage remain unverified. Any determination regarding possible wrongdoing would require an independent inquiry and verification of the video, audio, identities and circumstances surrounding the incident.
