Crime rate down, claim Islamabad City Zone Police

Say 2,169 cases were reported in the area and challans of 1,493 cases were submitted in relevant courts

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad City Zone police succeeded to curb crime in its area during 2019 due to effective policing measures and crackdown against criminal elements, said City Zone SP Muhammad Aamir Khan Niazi on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference at Rescue 15, the City SP said that Inspector General of Police Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar directed for an effective crackdown against criminals and zero-tolerance against such elements. A comprehensive strategy was chalked out as per directions IGP Islamabad to combat crime by Kohsar, Aabpara, Secretariat, Bani Gala, Women, and Bhara Kahu police stations which helped to decline crime rate in respective areas of these police stations.

Highlighting the performance of Islamabad City Zone Police, the SP said that a total of 2,169 cases were reported in the area and challans of 1,493 cases were submitted in the relevant courts. Out of 3,885 accused nominated in these cases, 3,002 accused (77%) were arrested.

The SP said that 409 property-related cases were registered during the last 11 months and challans of 169 cases were submitted to courts. A total of 307 out of 547 nominated accused in these cases were nabbed while recovery of more than Rs125.8 million was made from them.

Niazi said that several criminals were held for possessing illegal weapons and involvement in drug peddling and bootlegging activities. He said that 130 pistols, 10 Kalashnikovs, seven rifles, eight daggers, 1,323 bullets were seized from various suspects.

Meanwhile, City police recovered 82.37kg hashish, 6.5kg heroin, 1,989 litre liquor and 1,756 cans of beer and 13 grammes of methamphetamine ice from suspects in difference instances.

SP Niazi said the crackdown was launched against proclaimed offenders and court absconders and 360 such accused were arrested who were at large despite their involvement in crime cases of various nature.

The SP said that 24 criminal gangs were busted during the reporting period while its 58 gangsters were nabbed besides recovery of looted items worth more than Rs10 million. He said that criminals involved in killing a person during a mobile snatching attempt were also held by Aabpara police.

A notorious dacoit Mehmud Sultan Chanid was caught by Bani Gala police who was wanted for his involvement in 12 robberies, theft and snatching cases. He said that Secretariat police also resolved a blind murder case and nabbed two persons Zeeshan and Rizwan for assassinating Abdul Ghafoor. The murder tool was also recovered from the nabbed accused while challan had been also submitted to the court.

The SP said that Islamabad police believe in community policing and several `Open Kutcheries’ and public meetings were arranged during the last 11 months. The purpose of such public interactions was to resolve public complaints through prompt action and inculcate friendly police ecology in the city.

The commitment of personnel of Islamabad police is bringing good results and Islamabad has been declared as a family station by UN for its staff, he added.

Niazi said that Islamabad Police Chief Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar had the vision to promote friendly police culture and zero-tolerance against physical torture. He said that IGP’s vision was followed and no incident of physical torture by police happened in the area during the reporting period.

The courteous attitude is the main focus of Islamabad police and the policy of `Phele Salam – Phir Kalam’ is being followed in letter and spirit by policemen. The SP said that measures for community policing along with Human Rights Officers were ensured while several meetings with traders’ union and members of civil society were held to improve the image of police and bridge gap between police and public.

Niazi said that police efforts for relief to people would remain continue and friendly police culture would be ensured through the cooperation of community members. 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18^th, 2019.