Rickshaw driver climbs electric pole to protest unfair fine

LAHORE: A rickshaw driver climbed an electric pole in the provincial capital on Sunday morning to protest against unjust fine imposed on him for traffic violations, ARY News reported.

Rescue officials said that the rickshaw driver climbed up an electric pole in the provincial capital’s Model Town Kachehri area to protest against traffic police for imposing a fine of Rs1750 for violating traffic laws.

He also threatened to kill himself if his demand of rescinding the fine was not fulfilled.

After an hour and half long negotiations, the personnel of Rescue 1122 succeeded in persuading the rickshaw driver not to jump off and brought him down safely with help of a crane.

Area police and rescue workers arrived immediately at the scene and a large number of spectators also gathered to watch the episode.

Speaking to media, the driver said he climbed up the pole to protest against the fine for he was too poor to pay it. He said he hailed from a poor family in Jhang and was unable to bear the medical expenses of his wife and daughter who were suffering from illness.