Driverless cars are supposed to represent the future of transport. In Islamabad, however, one such car recently gave that idea a rather unexpected introduction — by crashing into a police van.
The incident took place at D-Chowk during a demonstration of a remotely operated vehicle developed by a young Pakistani innovator. Journalist Muhammad Aalijah was sitting in the passenger seat as the car was being controlled remotely through internet and satellite connections. Then, things stopped going according to plan.
Aalijah said in an interview with Dawn.com, “Everything was fine until a technical fault occurred due to an internet disruption.” The loss of connection left the vehicle out of control, sending it towards a parked police van. Attempts to stop it, including using the handbrake, were unsuccessful.
For a demonstration of futuristic technology, it was certainly not the smoothest drive.
An Innovation Attempt
The video of the collision quickly made its way around social media, where users found plenty of humour in the unusual scene. After all, a driverless car crashing into a police vehicle sounds almost like the beginning of a comedy sketch.
But behind the laughs was a genuine concern about how safely experimental technology is being tested. A remotely controlled car cannot simply depend on a perfect internet connection. If the connection disappears, the vehicle needs an immediate backup system capable of bringing it to a safe stop.
Aalijah stressed that the technology was not yet “completely safe and reliable”, warning that the consequences could have been much worse in a crowded area.
Social Media Reacts
The viral video blew up on social media, sparking hilarious reactions, memes and jokes as users poked fun at the unexpected crash while debating the risks of driverless technology.
“Straight out of a comedy show,” one X user wrote.
“You can’t park there,” another joked.
But not all comments were made in jest, with one account offering a more encouraging take: “Mistakes are learned through constant practice, no giving up.”
A Crash With a Lesson
Despite the obvious irony of a driverless car colliding with a police van, the incident does not necessarily mean the project itself should be dismissed. New technology often develops through trial, error and, occasionally, a collision with a police van.
Aalijah also made clear on his Facebook page that it was “never to defame or target this young man”, but rather to highlight the need for caution.
So while the internet may remember this demonstration for its comic ending, the bigger message is serious: innovation deserves encouragement, but safety cannot be left without a connection.