KARACHI: There has been a sudden rise in petty and organised street crimes in DHA, Karachi. Being a victim myself, I cannot express the helplessness we feel at the apathy displayed by law-enforcement agencies for our plight.
On October 28, my vehicle’s side mirrors were stolen for the third time in two weeks and that, too, in broad daylight. This happened right outside my residence. Three days ago, a neighbour was mugged at the intersection between 26th Street and the 21st Street of Khayaban-e-Mujahid, and she was robbed of her cash and valuables, while another was mugged on Khayaban-e-Badban right outside his house. It is almost impossible to walk outside our homes in DHA at any time of the day. It seems as if the KESC and the cantonment board are also part of this crime mafia as they have refused to replace dysfunctional street lights. The aforementioned intersection has become a hub of other illegal activities that take advantage of the darkness.
Going to the local police station to file an FIR for a car’s stolen side-mirrors, stolen/lost NIC or anything else is highly demoralising as no one helps you out until they see a 500-rupee note or receive a higher-up’s telephone call. It has been noted that a lot of illegal activities are carried out by groups of men — often policemen themselves — who live in makeshift tents outside the homes of MPAs, MNAs and police officers. Strict action is required against such illegal encroachments and mandatory registration of the occupants needs to be enforced as these very individuals are allegedly involved in drugs trade, prostitution and illegal weapons trade.
The DHA vigilance team’s biggest achievement is the plethora of pointless barriers placed at the entrance of Phase 8. DHA has wasted money on hiring hundreds of security guards (in bullet-proof vests). Till a few months ago, the DHA vigilance team used to patrol and kept a check on criminal activities. Now, it just monitors such activities from CCTV cameras. If the law-enforcement agencies and the vigilance team continue with their insensitive behaviour, citizens will be forced to resort to protecting themselves by other than lawful means.
Dr Jahanzeb Effendi
Published in The Express Tribune, November 2nd, 2012.
