A new wave of cybercrime grows in Lahore

Members of social media groups are glorifying criminals in dangerous trend

LAHORE: Crime is a phenomenon not uncommon to the streets of any cosmopolitan metropolis. Criminal activities such as murder, sexual assault, robbery, white-collar crime and terrorism are not new to troubled cities but a new social phenomenon, much likely a criminal one, is starting to organise through social media platforms.

In the city of Lahore, like-minded individuals, who are interested in collecting and displaying arms and ammunition, have begun to organise through Facebook groups and pages. Reportedly, members of this organised group are introducing new trends of crime and exploitation; projecting criminals who were killed in prolonged disputes and those from the underworld as heroes. After Lahore police identified certain members of such groups, they finally expressed their concerns over the issue.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Ismail Kharak has written a letter to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to shut down such web pages and websites. The links of these websites and the names of criminals who were arrested are mentioned in the letter.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, the SSP said that the provincial capital has a history of criminal hostility and hooliganism, often recalled by people who lived through the 1960s and 1970s and witnessed certain criminal incidents of their era.

“The local police have observed that there are hooligans in the city who are projecting themselves as heroes and strugglers using social media websites.”

The SSP referred to a Facebook page named “Lahore Underworld” on which stories of hostility towards law-abiding citizens are shared. He points out that criminal-minded men, including leaders of students groups, are being presented in a way that is inspiring young people to follow them and consider them as their ideals.

He explained that most of these miscreants are often criminals involved in extortion and targeted killing. The SSP added that online platforms are being used to propagate the notion that it is acceptable to be above the law. “After the police makes an example of such criminals by killing them in an encounter, their stories are presented as those of bravery on media platforms followed by youngsters.”

He further said that it is due to this propagation that so many followers or members on these social media groups have gone up to thousands and it is increasing by the day. “Lahore police arrested a gang of youngsters a few months ago who posted their photos with weapons on Facebook. After identifying each other as like-minded people, they met each other and promoted crimes. The accused include Bale Khan and Saleem Khan Rahib Gull.”

The SSP highlighted that the arrested individuals revealed their criminal fantasies during investigations that they aspired to become crime bosses in the provincial capital and that their dream was to walk with an armed guard protocol.

“To fulfill their related ambitions, they began criminal activities and also killed people during incidents of robbery.”

Psychologist Dr Anum Fatima said that criminal behavior often stems from the country’s visual culture, domestic issues, lack of education and the binarisation of gender roles. She reflected from her conversations with criminals that they vent about not being able to complete school due to domestic issues and so choose to pick up arms instead to mark their presence in society.

SSP Investigation Zeeshan Asghar said that the investigation police are tracking down websites and that SPCRO and SP CIA have been assigned these tasks. He added that pictures and details of all criminal followers have been obtained from these websites. “The investigation wing is scanning through details of previous cases of suspects involved in deadly attacks, riots and hooliganism.

Details such as how many people have been charged challans and which punishments were they given are being analysed by the team.” He maintained that the absconder in these cases should be immediately arrested and those who are bailed or paroled should be monitored so that they do not repeat any criminal acts.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2019.