Police have arrested a man accused of assaulting and threatening a petrol station employee in Lahore’s Chohang area after the worker asked him to stop smoking in compliance with safety regulations.
The suspect, identified as Idris Bhatti, was taken into custody following an incident at a petrol pump in Jubilee Town, where he allegedly attacked an employee who had warned him against smoking near the fuel station.
According to media reports, the suspect had arrived at the petrol pump in a Toyota Prado when a worker requested that he refrain from smoking, citing the station’s safety standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Instead of complying with the warning, the suspect allegedly became aggressive, physically assaulted the employee and threatened him with serious consequences before leaving the premise.
Following the incident, Chohang Police launched an investigation and traced the vehicle allegedly used by the suspect.
Investigators discovered that the Prado had been rented, and the rental documentation helped establish the identity of the individual involved.
The receipt identified the suspect as Idris Bhatti, enabling police to locate him.
According to Lahore Police, the suspect resisted arrest, and officers recovered a weapon from his possession during the operation.
He was subsequently taken into custody, and a criminal case was registered in connection with the incident.
Commenting on the arrest, DIG Operations Faisal Kamran said that individuals who resort to violence, intimidation or unlawful conduct would face strict legal action.
He emphasised that authorities would not tolerate behaviour that undermined the dignity and safety of workers performing their professional responsibilities.
The incident reportedly began when the petrol pump employee attempted to enforce routine safety precautions intended to prevent fire hazards at fuel stations.
Police said legal proceedings had been initiated against the suspect following his arrest.