We are living in Gotham

A new wave of crime in the federal capital has badly damaged community safety. Over a 100 cases of theft, armed robberies, assault and abductions were reported in just one week in September. Armed thugs, in dozens of cases, confidently broke into the homes of government officials, army personnel and civilians; tied them up, threatened to kill them, and looted valuable goods. Rapes of minors have also been reported across the country. The government seems to be so focused on cracking down on corruption and resolving the Kashmir issue that criminals are having a field day under its nose. Islamabad seems to have become Gotham. There is hopelessness, fear and insecurity. No heroes seem to be coming to save us in these troubled times.

The police? Why should citizens feel safe or trust the police?

Crime has considerably increased in Punjab since last year. The Punjab Government will spend $50 million under the Punjab Tourism Economic Growth (PTEG) project over five years to harmonise the tourism sector with international standards. It is laughable to expect to earn from international tourism when even the federal capital isn’t safe from public enemies. Why would any foreigner consider Pakistan as a destination amidst this insecurity? Of course, Pakistan offers a lot in eco and religious tourism. But the government has to work hard in creating a safe environment.

The general sentiment is that the police are an accomplice to these crimes, or if citizens were to file reports, nothing would happen. The police say they don’t have enough resources. A lot has to be done by the police to rebuild a tarnished reputation and restore law and order.

Moreover, going by the World Population Review’s description, Pakistan struggles with the non-provision of public services; a high crime rate; extreme political corruption; the bureaucracy is impenetrable, ineffective and lacks the will to change anything. Other variables include a sharp economic decline; judicial ineffectiveness; and difficulty in raising taxes.

Some corrective measures have been taken under the new government, such as the removal of incapable and corrupt SHO’s from police stations, tax amnesty schemes, anti-corruption drive, promotion of accountability, etc. This mind-set change and a systemic clean-up is exactly what the country needs, along with people taking ownership. This can expedite the process of self-correction and steer the country in the right direction.

This begs the question, what have we actively done to put this country on a corrective trajectory? Almost nothing in most cases. Most have strayed far from the ideals of good character — living and thinking within boxes.

This nation has been living in denial — refusing to accept established facts and unwilling to accept responsibility for where the country stands today in governance, and economics. We are a country of deniers. We see crime but don’t report it. We see unfairness and turn a blind eye. We see tax evasion and console ourselves with “I’ve evaded less money”. We see garbage but never make the effort to pick it up. We hear of rapes, honour killings, murders, and thefts but pretend it’s none of our business because it didn’t happen to us. How many took the initiative to actually use the Citizens Portal to actively report problems? Probably a handful.

This is a failure of the entire nation, not just the state. The police, government, media and judiciary have failed. The people have failed. We have become too comfortable with failing. Mediocrity has been institutionalised. This has to change and it begins with accepting our faults. There are heroes all around us we just have to start looking for them.

It’s time to collectively develop a hunger for excellence, navigate the politics of Pakistan’s justice system and unite against the rise of spiteful villains. Additionally, it is time to fight weak character and replace it with a pursuit of excellence.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2019.

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