SP Adeel Akbar’s Death Prompts High-Level Inquiry

News Desk 

Islamabad: Superintendent of Police (SP) Industrial Area, Adeel Akbar, tragically took his own life in the federal capital early Thursday morning, reportedly due to depression linked to professional stress and health complications.

According to police and hospital sources, SP Akbar shot himself near a private hotel in Islamabad’s high-security Red Zone using his government-issued pistol while on duty. 

Officers at the scene immediately informed senior officials and shifted him to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival.

Under Psychiatric Treatment

Sources close to the investigation revealed that the officer had been under psychiatric treatment and had visited a specialist about ten days before the incident. 

During the consultation—attended by his wife and daughter—the psychiatrist reportedly advised him to avoid keeping a firearm and to continue his prescribed medication regularly. Akbar had also been diagnosed with dengue fever recently and was said to be struggling with severe depression.

The psychiatrist’s advice was allegedly prompted by Akbar’s increasing frustration over work-related stress and his declining mental health. Despite medical guidance, he continued to carry his service weapon.

Post-Mortem and Investigation

A post-mortem examination conducted at PIMS confirmed that the officer was struck by a single bullet wound to the front of the head. Police officials stated that the shot was fired from his own staff pistol.

Following the incident, Inspector General (IG) Islamabad Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, along with other senior officials, visited PIMS to oversee the initial investigation. A high-level inquiry has been launched to ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding the death.

Forensic teams collected evidence from the scene, including the blood-stained uniform, pistol, and other materials. Fingerprints recovered from the weapon will be cross-verified with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) records. Several officers who were present at or near the scene have been taken into custody for questioning as part of the inquiry.

Official Response

The Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) confirmed that SP Akbar sustained critical injuries from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound near Serena Chowk and later died at PIMS. Islamabad Police officials cordoned off the area and collected forensic evidence immediately after the incident.

Authorities said the case is being handled with utmost sensitivity given the tragic nature of the event and the officer’s reputation within the service.

Profile of the Deceased Officer

SP Adeel Akbar was widely regarded as a respected and competent officer of the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP). He held an MPhil in Governance and Public Policy from the National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad. Before his posting in the federal capital, he served in multiple districts across Balochistan, gaining extensive experience in security management, community policing, human rights protection, counterterrorism, and crisis response.

Colleagues described him as a humble, professional, and dedicated officer who maintained strong relationships with his peers and subordinates. His untimely death has shocked the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police and the broader law enforcement community across Pakistan.

Funeral and Burial

The funeral prayers for the deceased officer were held late Thursday night, attended by senior police officials, colleagues, and family members. Following the ceremony, his body was transported to his ancestral village for burial, the Islamabad Police confirmed in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Authorities reiterated their commitment to conducting a transparent and comprehensive investigation into the incident while extending condolences to the bereaved family.