Rampaging robbers

Dacoits and armed robbers continue to operate with brazen impunity and wreak havoc on the streets of Karachi, where it seems that the law of the jungle now prevails. In three separate incidents that took place on the same day, three persons were shot at and wounded by robbers over resistance. The incidents took place in low-income neighbourhood but no place is left safe from the terror that these criminals have evoked among the masses.

Depleting socio-economic conditions coupled with high inflation have played a huge factor in forcing delinquents to take up arms and resort to robbing and looting to earn money. Now, with the government bowing to IMF demands and prices of essential commodities anticipated to further rise significantly, the situation will become worse. The debilitating effect of the economic crisis has taken its toll and relief from the government remains a hollow promise. The least that can be done is to maintain law and order through law enforcement. But here it seems that even the police are helpless against these rampaging robbers. A few days prior, an on-duty cop was robbed at gunpoint outside the Mobina Town police station in Karachi. The fact that more than 7,000 incidents were reported in just the first month of 2023 shows the utter failure of local police and the lack of concern from higher officials. This lack of concern partially stems from the fact that these officials remain beyond the affected population in terms of inflation and many of them have guards for protection. On the other hand, the movement of common citizens, especially women, remains restricted due to fear of getting robbed.

The least the government can do is alert and empower local law enforcement agencies to deal with the exacerbating crisis. In the meantime, citizens are advised to show no resistance to remorseless robbers, as life is more important than valuables.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16^th, 2023.

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