An official inquiry has formally cleared Superintendent of Police Adeel Akbar of all accusations, while simultaneously highlighting how career stagnation and institutional delays profoundly affected his mental well-being.
The investigation, carried out under the civil-service rules, found no substantive evidence supporting the charges brought against him, concluding that he was falsely accused. However, the process itself proved damaging: the inquiry’s protracted duration postponed his promotion, imposing “significant mental stress” on the officer.
According to the findings, SP Akbar had been under psychological strain long before his tragic death. His doctor reported that although he appeared outwardly composed during a check-up on October 8, he privately revealed deep disappointment over two delayed promotions and had spoken of suicidal thoughts. Earlier, he had been subject to a two-year disciplinary inquiry in Balochistan, which resulted in the loss of promotion opportunities and lingering professional uncertainty.
On the day of his death, the officer was seen driving around intermittently, visited the Secretariat, made a final phone call concerning an official matter, and then used his service weapon. The inquiry concluded that his death was consistent with suicide, attributing it to accumulated professional pressures and emotional distress.
This case underscores the wider implications of delayed promotions and prolonged internal investigations on law-enforcement officers’ mental health For institutions and individuals alike, it highlights the urgent need for timely review processes, vigilant mental-health support, and transparent career-progression systems.
