ISLAMABAD: A three-member committee has been constituted to investigate the death of Deputy Superintendent of Police (ASP) Adeel Akbar, who died of a gunshot wound under unexplained circumstances in Islamabad.
A police spokesman said Sunrise that the committee consists of deputy inspectors general (DIG) of police and is headed by director general of Islamabad Safe City Authority, headquarters of the DIG, Haroon Joya. Other members include DIG Operations Jawad Tariq and DIG Security Atiq Tahir.
The committee was formed under the guidance of Inspector General of Police (IGP), Islamabad, with instructions to submit its report within 48 hours. He has been tasked with determining the facts surrounding the death of ASP Akbar, who was serving as Zone Superintendent of the Industrial Area of the Police (SP) and establishing whether it was an accident, suicide or murder, as well as identifying the possible causes and motives.
Police officers, talking to Sunrise On condition of anonymity, he said the committee will also summon a doctor for questioning about his social media and press statements claiming that the ASP had visited him at Pims and his private clinic and shared personal information.
Three-member panel given 48 hours to present report; Sources say police are not ruling out accident, suicide or foul play.
According to officers, Mr. Akbar was on his way to the Establishment Division and had spoken to an officer with whom he was scheduled to meet.
However, the officer informed him that he was not in the office, after which Akbar asked his driver to make a U-turn near the Ministry of External Affairs.
Meanwhile, the deceased officer’s operator informed him that a Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) officer wanted to talk to him and sent him a message. Mr Akbar last spoke to the PAS officer about a professional matter and said he would ask the station house officer about it.
Officials said the late officer had recently been transferred to Islamabad from Balochistan and had raised security concerns. A week ago he had received a new official vehicle with fully tinted windows.
He also asked about the official weapon issued to his staff, citing security concerns. His operator informed him that he had an SMG (submachine gun), which Mr Akbar asked to see.
The operator removed the magazine and checked the chamber before handing it to him. Akbar then asked about the magazine and the number of bullets. The operator responded that he had 50 bullets and handed over the magazine at his request.
A short time later, as the vehicle reached Jinnah Square, near the Serena Hotel underpass, the driver and operator heard a gunshot. They found Akbar slumped in his seat with a bullet wound on his forehead.
The operator immediately reported to police communications, stating that “SP City took the gun from us and shot himself near Serena.”
Later, a team from Punjab Forensic Science Agency visited the spot, examined the vehicle and weapon and collected samples. His mobile phone was recovered from the vehicle and he was taken into custody to be handed over to the FIA for forensic examination.
Mr. Akbar had recently been shortlisted for a Fulbright scholarship and had received the official letter on October 6. He was scheduled to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) on Friday (October 24).
The driver and officer operator have been taken into protective custody and are being held at a police building on I-9.
The incident has not yet been recorded in any police records, including the diary. Further legal action will be taken in light of the committee’s investigative report.
According to police officials, the incident appears to be accidental as Akbar was supposed to meet an officer to discuss his promotion shortly before his death. He was reportedly eager for his promotion, but was also actively pursuing the Fulbright scholarship, had scheduled his TOEFL exam, and had submitted his academic degrees for verification, indicating that he was focused on his career and personal growth, with no apparent signs of suicidal intent.
He had also spoken normally with a PAS officer minutes before the incident. When the gunman handed over the submachine gun, Akbar had followed normal safety procedures to ensure there was no bullet in the chamber, sources said. “There is a possibility that by inserting the magazine and holding the gun upright, it may have been accidentally discharged,” they said.
The angle of the shot was measured at 65 degrees between the eyebrows. Experts noted that it is extremely difficult to commit suicide with a submachine gun, as individuals often place this type of weapon under their chin.
Officers said that while evidence suggests an accidental discharge, other possibilities cannot be ruled out. Therefore, the investigation remains open, they added.
Published in Dawn, October 25, 2025
