Crime wave sweeps City of Saints

Citizens reel from losses, police left in the dark

MULTAN:

Multan has been beleaguered by an unprecedented wave of robberies, leaving citizens fearful and grappling with loss, while police are scrambling to stop the escalating crime spree.

During the past 24 hours, a flurry of thefts rocked various parts of the city, resulting in the loss of gold ornaments, mobile phones, cash and even livestock. As this crime wave continues unabated, residents are left shaken by criminals targeting both individuals and households.

The city’s police force has been stretched too thin, yet attempts to restore a sense of security amidst growing public concern.

One victim, identified as Khalil Ahmed, was robbed of cash and his mobile phone at gunpoint. Abdul Raheem, a senior journalist, also faced a similar fate when his motorcycle, mobile phone and cash were snatched away. In another incident, Ashraf was deprived of thousands of rupees.

Meanwhile, unknown suspects infiltrated the homes of Sajjad and Rafiq, making off with valuable livestock worth millions of rupees. Similarly, Ghulam Mustafa’s home in the Basti Maluk police station area fell prey to the criminals, resulting in the loss of invaluable gold jewelry. The impact rippled across the city’s landscape, with the jurisdiction of Muzaffarabad police station suffering significant losses in terms of cash and valuables from the homes of Mohammad Hussain and Rashid Mahmood.

The Setal Mari Police Station area had its share of robberies as well, as criminals brazenly seized gold ornaments and precious belongings, deepening the distress of the affected residents.

Shehryar’s household suffered a loss of Rs100,000 in cash, while in the Cantt area, a collective sum of Rs90,000 in cash and valuables was snatched, leaving the community reeling from the ongoing crisis.

This spate of robberies has sent shockwaves throughout Multan, as residents in different corners of the city, including Javed in the New Multan area, Abdul Rasheed in the Daulat Gate area, Lal Din in the Sadar Jalalpur area, and Amjad in Bahauddin Zakaria Police station area, bear the brunt of stolen motorcycles and personal belongings.

As citizens grapple with the emotional and financial aftermath of these crimes, law enforcement agencies find themselves under immense pressure to bring these criminals to justice. The city’s police force is working tirelessly to apprehend those responsible and restore people’s confidence in the authorities.

In the face of these developments, Multan’s residents are reminded of the critical role that community vigilance and collaboration with law enforcement play in curbing crime.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2023.