PHOTO: FILE
The year 2019 was marred by several incidents of law and order, terrorism and crime. The Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) attack by lawyers, Data Darbar suicide attack at a police van, Rickshaw blast on Multan Road and the arrest of the Chinese prostitution gang are some of the incidents that took place during the year.
In an unfortunate incident that occurred in December, a group of lawyers stormed PIC on Jail Road to ‘avenge’ torture on some lawyers, who had visited the facility a few weeks ago. On the day of the incident, a group of lawyers barged into the emergency of PIC, thrashed doctors, patients, attendants, paramedical staff, police, a provincial minister and also set a police van on fire. Police played the role of a silent spectator.
After the attack, different stakeholders blamed each other for the situation. After two weeks of the incident, the government and the police formed an inquiry committee. But, so far a few lawyers have been arrested and presented before the court while others are on bail.
Terrorist attacks
Two terrorist attacks, including a botched attempt, took place in 2019. In May 2019, in the first week of Ramazan, a suicide bomber blew himself up near a police van outside the Data Darbar. Around 12 people, including policemen and a security guard lost their lives while several suffered injuries. A splinter group of outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed the responsibility for the attack. An investigation into the case had suggested that the suspects targeted the police team. In November, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) had announced a death sentence to the facilitator of the attack, identified as Mohsin Khan.
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In November, terrorists tried to attack the provincial capital once again. However, it proved to be a botched attempt. At least 14 people suffered injuries after Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded in a rickshaw on Multan Road. The investigations revealed that a suspect, carrying an IED had rented the vehicle from Shera Kot and left it a few meters away from the blast site. However, the investigators have yet to make a substantial development when it comes to motive behind the blast.
In March, a massive crackdown was launched against the organisations affiliated with Hafiz Saeed and Jamaat-ud-Dawa throughout province. Falah-e-Insaniyat (FIF) ambulances operated by the group were taken into custody. Some of their centers, including headquarter, situated at Chauburji were also sealed. A number of organisation’s members were also detained. It is believed that the move was part of international community’s pressure to avoid FATF blacklisting. In July, JuD leader Hafiz Saeed was arrested near Gujranwala for financing terrorist attacks.
In May, a Chinese gang was busted for pushing women into prostitution. The modus operandi of the suspects was to engage a local as a marriage bureau agent, who would target women belonging to low-income families and lure them into contracting marriage. The victims were allegedly forced into prostitution after reaching China. According to a latest report, at least 629 Pakistani girls were sold as brides.
Major crime incidents
Some tragic incidents of murders and mass deaths in accidents were also reported in the city. Two major incidents of murder over an old enmity were also reported.
The first incident took place in July at the Allama Iqbal International Airport where two people were shot dead over an old enmity. One of the deceased, identified as Zain, was nominated in Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) leader Babar Butt’s murder.
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In the same month, a trader was gunned down over an old enmity in Qartaba Chowk. The incident occurred when the deceased, identified as Irfan Channa, along with his son and others, was returning home.
In November, at least five members of a family were murdered mercilessly over a property dispute in Batapur. A few days ago, an SHO and two others were injured during a reconciliation meeting in Lower Mall. In February, at least three persons including two brothers were shot dead over an old enmity in Baghbanpura.
In September, suspects tortured to death former MPA Parveen Sikandar Gill at her house in Naseerabad. In the same month, at least four persons died and two others were injured after a wall collapsed in Manawan. In April, a man committed suicide after killing his father, two sisters and injuring his brother in Shafiqabad.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 3rd, 2020.
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