Pakistan’s safest city is experiencing a rapid surge in street crimes, with high rates of officially registered incidents occurring on a daily basis in both commercial and residential areas within the city’s jurisdiction. These street crimes pose significant threats to individuals’ lives, economic stability, and social harmony. The causes behind the escalating crimes include factors such as illiteracy, unemployment, high inflation, and poverty.
Just recently, a friend of mine who had come to Islamabad from Bahawalpur for educational purposes fell victim to an armed robbery in I/8 Markaz. His phone, valued at forty thousand, and cash worth thirty-five thousand were snatched by the criminals. Unfortunately, the police did not take substantial action to recover the stolen items.
In the first six months of 2022 alone, approximately 6,000 cases were reported, and it was estimated that 26 cases were reported in a single day in June 2022. To address this concerning situation, the police have engaged the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to install CCTV cameras throughout the city. As a result, 2,500 cameras have been installed.
The government must take appropriate actions in response to this situation, such as increasing police patrols during nighttime and deploying additional police officers. These measures are crucial to curb street crimes and restore a sense of security among the residents.
Zakir Magsi, Islamabad
