By: Nuzair Ali Jamro
There is no denying the fact that Sindh Province has been of paramount importance not only in the development of Pakistan but also in ensuring life security for the people of the nation, despite discrimination based on color, caste, and creed soon after independence. Shikarpur, a historical city of the province, has made significant contributions to the health, economic, and educational upliftment of the nation. History shows that people from Shikarpur headed many administrative posts due to the quality of education and the city’s high literacy rate.
The City has been known as the city of peaceful life for people belonging to all religions, it was also an economic corridor of a developing country that used to connect Asian states such as China and Pakistan. It was one of the largest trade centers that led the import and export of the country due to strong security and a peaceful environment.
Retrospectively. The Solid Waste management and drainage system of the existing city was exemplary for the rest of the cities. The cleanness and good development of roads and narrow streets around the city were no less than the epitome of beauty and dedication. The Covered Market, known as Dakh Bazaar, was a great model of art due to its woodwork of pure teak. This was the reason behind its recognition as Paris of Sindh Province.
Woefully, the city has lost its glory in the 21st century due to a lack of peace, literacy, and other basic facilities like health for survival. Most educated and business-class people have already migrated to big cities for a better lifestyle and advanced education and health facilities due to the alarming rise of insecurity in the city.
Since the last three months i.e., July 2024, the city has been witnessing a large number of Snatching and kidnapping cases. It is really heart-wrenching to apprise that the robbery-cum-murder has become the fate of citizens. Many people have lost life in defending themselves against the robbers.
Every day, a new case of bike snatching, child kidnapping, and shop robbery is reported. Robbery and child kidnapping are the norm of the day in Shikarpur where the bird of peace disappeared.
While tracing back to the golden pages of history, the city was famous for its high literacy rate and business typhoons due to its peaceful territory. Because of poor law & order, ensuring peace remains a dream day for the citizens.
As of last Friday on 9th October, 2024, for demanding Peaceful life, Shikarpur city witnessed the great youth movement at AllahWala Chowk Shikarpur. A Large number of youth, senior citizens and members of civil society protested for peace and life security in the city.
Woefully, it is a gloomy day of chaos and distress, where children are held at gunpoint to have their parents robbed during school dismissal hours.
Last but not least, innocent school-going children are also kidnapped every new morning, and ambulances are being robbed while performing emergency duties. Businessmen are also targeted for hush money in the first week of the new month as they have to make huge payments, which are part and parcel of the business market. Such a deplorable situation depicts the bleak picture of the city.
To cut to the chase, the situation facing Shikarpur calls for extraordinary measures. Article 9 of the Constitution of Pakistan ensures that the security of a person is protected. It affirms that ‘No person shall be deprived of life or liberty save in accordance with law.’ Every citizen has a basic human need to feel safe: to be free from threats, to have trust and support, and to be able to relax.
In this connection, the city administration and law enforcement departments must work in tandem to bring back the bird of peace to Shikarpur, the city once known as the Paris of Sindh in the golden pages of history. In a nutshell, the government’s first duty and highest obligation is public safety. It is high time the government, civil society, and youth work hand in hand with sympathy to restore the city’s security with heart and soul.
