Faisalabad sees uptick in crimes since Covid outbreak

22,885 crimes reported in first six months of 2020, up from 19,183 during same period in 2019

FAISALABAD:

While the coronavirus has badly affected economies all over the world, the law and order situation in the country has worsened since its outbreak, as per reports.

There has been a significant increase in unemployment and the number of people living below the poverty line, The Express Tribune has learnt.

Reportedly, the law and order situation of the country has worsened after the outbreak of coronavirus. A dramatic increase has been noted in the crime rate in the first six months of 2020 as compared to 2019 in Faisalabad.

Contrary to the tall claims of police officers to control crime, the facts were telling a different story.

The sources revealed that 147 murders were reported in 2019, while 158 murders have been reported in the first six months of 2020.

Crime rate in Karachi below that of many first world cities: DG ISPR

Similarly, there were 201 cases of attempt-to-murder in 2019, a figure which has jumped to 240 cases in 2020.

Besides, there were 732 cases of motorcycle theft in 2019 as compared to 983 cases in 2020.

The number of other crimes was 22,885 in the first six months of 2020 while 19,183 were reported in 2019. Also, two cases of rape have been reported in 2020.

Similarly, a bleak picture was seen regarding the prevention of drugs. In the first six months of this year, 1,285.36 kilogrammes of hashish had been recovered from criminal elements which could be termed as a great achievement of the police but in the year 2019, 505.15 kg of hashish was recovered.

Likewise, 18.73kg of opium was recovered until June 2020 against 7.81kg in 2019, 57,261 litres of alcohol were retrieved against 31,405 litres in 2019, 1,588 pistols were confiscated against 1,428 in 2019 and 74 Kalashnikovs had been recovered in 2020 against retrieval of 79 Kalashnikovs in 2019.

When it comes to street crimes, no one appears to be safe in Karachi​​​​​​​

“It is worthwhile to note that the crime rate in the year 2020 seems to be increasing despite the diligence and dedication of the police,” Advocate Rana Azeem Shahid stated.

“The police are also busy in the implementation of SOPs and other duties of the coronavirus, luring criminals to openly establish their nefarious activities,” said the advocate.

CPO Sohail Chaudhry said that the police had been fighting crime along with other duties, a clear example of which was the crackdown by the police this year.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 1^st, 2020.