By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: The Draoghywal Industrial Association on Monday called for an independent and transparent investigation into allegations made by the owner of Masood Tech Industry regarding an operation allegedly carried out by Assistant Commissioner (AC) Wagah Hafiz Muhammad Zeeshan, saying the business community was increasingly concerned about the impact of such incidents on investment and industrial confidence.
The association raised the matter during a meeting with Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Executive Committee member Shoban Akhtar and later held a peaceful protest, urging the federal and Punjab governments to examine the allegations through a fair and impartial inquiry. According to the association, a delegation comprising President Ramiz Dewan, General Secretary Shehzad Salim, Finance Secretary Haji Nisar and other members briefed the LCCI representative on the incident and sought the chamber’s support. Addressing the meeting, Masood, owner of Masood Tech Industry, alleged that AC Wagah Hafiz Muhammad Zeeshan, accompanied by officials, entered his factory without prior notice. He claimed that when he asked the officials to identify themselves and explain the purpose of their visit, he was allegedly subjected to physical assault.
Masood further alleged that when factory employees attempted to intervene, they too were physically assaulted. He also claimed that three employees were taken away in a pickup vehicle (dala) that allegedly did not display a registration number.
According to the factory management, the employees had not been released or their whereabouts disclosed at the time of the meeting.
The businessman further claimed that he had never received any prior notice from the office of AC Wagah Hafiz Muhammad Zeeshan and, to the best of his knowledge, there were no pending official proceedings against his factory before the operation.
Masood said his company has been manufacturing auto parts for several years and supplies products to major industrial groups in Pakistan.
He added that the alleged incident had disrupted production, affected employees and created uncertainty among industrialists.
Speaking on the occasion, Shoban Akhtar said Pakistan’s manufacturing sector could not flourish if industrialists continued to face alleged harassment by public authorities.
He said uncertainty in the business environment discourages domestic and foreign investment and makes it difficult for industries to expand and create employment opportunities.
According to Akhtar, a considerable number of business owners have shifted their industrial units or investments abroad due to concerns over the investment climate. She stressed that Pakistan needs policies that encourage investment, protect legitimate businesses and strengthen investor confidence.
Akhtar assured the delegation that the concerns raised by the association would be taken up at the appropriate forum and that the business community would continue to pursue the matter through lawful and institutional channels.
Representatives of the association and Masood urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the federal minister for industries and the Punjab government to take notice of the allegations and order an immediate, transparent and impartial inquiry in accordance with the law.
The Tribune International has reviewed video footage provided in connection with the incident. The footage appears to show several individuals being physically manhandled and escorted into a pickup vehicle outside the factory. However, the publication has not independently authenticated the footage in its entirety or verified the circumstances preceding or following the events shown. The footage, by itself, does not establish the allegations made by the complainants.
Before publication, The Tribune International contacted AC Wagah Hafiz Muhammad Zeeshan by telephone and also sent him a message seeking his response to the allegations in the interest of fairness and balanced reporting. No response had been received by the time this report was published. His version will be published promptly if and when it is received.
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