Family and relatives of a 2022 car accident case victim ended their sit-in outside the National Press Club in Islamabad on Friday after negotiations with the police.

“The DIG has assured us of resolving our reservations and arresting the murderer of my son within 10 days,” Rafaqat Ali Tanoli, the father of Shakeel Tanoli who was killed in a traffic accident, told reporters.

He returned to the National Press Club after being released. He was arrested by the Islamabad police on Thursday after protesters marched towards D Chowk – the iconic square.

Rafaqat Ali’s son Shakeel Tanoli and his colleague Hasnain Ali both were waiters at Savor Foods. They were going home on June 8, 2022 midnight when they were hit by a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) allegedly driven by a woman.

The woman left the vehicle on the spot and fled from the scene. The police took the car into custody. But a Lahore High Court official returned the car back on superdari (interim disposal).

In 2023, Rafaqat informed the court that the suspect and the heirs of Hasnain settled the matter out of court. He claimed that the family members of the suspect also came to his house in Mansehra district and warned him of dire consequences if he pursued the case.

“If our demands are not met, we will return to D-Chowk,” Rafaqat said and reiterated the sit-in was called off after assurances from the DIG.

While appearing on Aaj News show Rubaroo via video link from the protest site, he said: “We will protest until the murderer of my son is arrested.”