ISLAMABAD – Islamabad police occupied sections of F-9 Park’s main jogging and walking track for nearly two weeks, restricting public access and allegedly harassing visitors during recruitment activities for the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
The controversy raised serious questions about the use of public recreational spaces for law enforcement recruitment exercises, particularly when dedicated police training centres and sports facilities are available elsewhere.
The issue is being shared online as social media users criticised Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police for allegedly taking control of part of the park’s main running track. Police vehicles had been stationed inside recreational area, while temporary barriers and security arrangements prevented residents from freely accessing sections normally used for walking, running and exercise.
Police personnel were stopping and intimidating visitors attempting to approach the restricted area, reportedly citing instructions from senior officers.
The pictures being shared online show blue police bus parked on a paved pathway, temporary barricades, tarpaulin-covered structures, barbed wire and sections of the track apparently closed to public. Residents questioned why citizens were being deprived of access to a public park for government recruitment activities.
Similar arrangements had been made months earlier during police recruitment exercises, as park was increasingly being used as a testing facility rather than exclusively as public space.
The social media users callled on Interior Minister Naqvi and Sohail Ashraf, calling for intervention to protect public access.
The controversy comes as NCCIA, operating under the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control, recently conducted a nationwide recruitment campaign involving hundreds of vacancies. The hiring exercise covered several categories, including Sub-Inspectors, Assistant Sub-Inspectors, Constables and technical positions.
Physical endurance tests, including running and fitness assessments, formed a key part of the selection process for eligible candidates. In Islamabad, authorities designated F-9 Park as the examination centre, with testing beginning around November 4.
NCCIA announced that physical recruitment examinations had been successfully completed at 11 centres nationwide, including the F-9 Park venue.
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