Islamabad Police has clarified that no offence was committed when a driverless car developed by a university student crashed into a police van during an interview in the federal capital.
The incident had recently gone viral on social media after a reporter was seen demonstrating the student’s driverless vehicle. During the demonstration, the car suddenly changed direction, moved towards a police van and collided with it, resulting in a loud impact.
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The reporter was also seen attempting to pull the handbrake after the vehicle unexpectedly veered towards the police van.
🔴 Pakistan’da bir adam, kendi geliştirdiği sürücüsüz otomobili test ederken polis arabasına çarptı. pic.twitter.com/QSFgD4L1kM
— 3. Dünya Savaşı (@ww3mediaa) August 31, 2026
Police Finds No Evidence of Offence
In a clarification video posted on Tuesday, Islamabad Police SP City Dr Ayaz Hussain said the incident had been investigated in detail and authorities found no evidence of any offence.
Dr Ayaz explained that the collision occurred because of human error while the student was demonstrating his invention.
“The incident resulted from a human error while testing the student’s invention,” he said.
The police officer appeared alongside the student who developed the vehicle and explained that the car was part of a genuine technological project being developed by a young Pakistani.
Dr Ayaz praised the student’s efforts and described young people involved in innovation as an important asset for the country.
He said Islamabad Police encouraged young people pursuing innovative ideas and considered such talent to be part of Pakistan’s future.
Student Explains How the Accident Happened
The student, Ehsan Zafar Abbasi, said he was a resident of Abbottabad and a third-semester Computer Engineering student at COMSATS University Abbottabad.
Speaking about his background, Ehsan said he had been involved in practical work since around 2018. He also established a laboratory at his home, where he worked on various practical projects and experiments.
He explained that the vehicle involved in the incident was one of his projects — an internet-controlled, driverless car.
Ehsan said he had travelled to Islamabad specifically to give an interview about his invention when the incident occurred.
According to the student, the accident happened while he was demonstrating the vehicle during the interview.
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Wrong Key Sent Car Towards Police Van
Ehsan said the cameraman asked him to show the mobile phone being used to operate the vehicle to the camera.
While preparing to display the phone, he accidentally pressed the left key instead of the right key.
The incorrect command caused the car to turn left rather than right. The vehicle subsequently moved towards the police van and collided with it.
Ehsan said the collision was therefore the result of an accidental input while he was attempting to demonstrate how the vehicle was operated.
He also praised Islamabad Police for its cooperation following the incident.
The student said that after the video went viral on social media the following day, Islamabad Police contacted him again and examined the vehicle’s system.
Police Examines Vehicle’s Software and Hardware
Ehsan expressed his appreciation for SP City Dr Ayaz Hussain, saying the officer took the time to understand how his invention worked before reaching a conclusion about the incident.
He said Dr Ayaz asked detailed questions about both the software and hardware components of the vehicle.
According to Ehsan, the police officer’s approach helped establish that the incident was an unintended accident rather than a deliberate act or criminal offence.
The clarification comes after the incident attracted considerable attention online, with footage of the vehicle crashing into the police van widely circulated on social media.
Student Vows to Continue His Work
Despite the setback, Ehsan said he intended to continue working in the field and further develop his practical skills.
He said he wanted to use his technical knowledge to create innovative projects and improve his understanding through hands-on experimentation.
The young inventor also expressed his ambition to bring recognition to Pakistan internationally through his work.
Ehsan said he wanted to work for Pakistan and become an example for other young Pakistanis interested in science, engineering and technology.
The Islamabad Police clarification has also shifted attention from the viral crash itself to the student’s technological work, highlighting the importance of encouraging young people who are experimenting with new ideas and developing practical solutions.
