Record number of FIRs filed this year

Over 300,000 cases registered in Lahore

LAHORE:

For the first time in the history of Punjab, the number of registered cases (FIRs) in all police stations across the province has crossed one million.

At least 1,065,720 cases have been registered during the year so far, a 30 percent increase from the 763,000 cases registered in 2022. During the year, Lahore saw the most FIRs registered, numbering 346,677.

Meanwhile, as many as 84,471 cases were registered in Sheikhupura, 86,623 in Gujranwala, 48,300 in Sargodha, 105,605 in Faisalabad, 108,491 in Multan, 56,714 in DG Khan, 58,808 in Bahawulpur and 38,978 in Gujrat.

The data further showed that 4,313 murder cases, 7,538 cases of attempted murder and 16,060 of torture were registered as of October 31st this year.

Over 20,937 cases of kidnapping and abduction, 81 kidnappings for ransom, 3,503 cases of rape and 393 cases of gang-rape were registered during the same period.

Moreover, 1,471 cases against dacoity, 85,986 robbery cases, 28,388 burglary cases, 3,217 theft cases, 102,128 cases of vehicle lifting and 16,457 cases of motor vehicle snatching were registered as of October 31st.

As many as 18,317 FIRs against cattle theft were also registered and as many as 100,000 FIRs were also registered as part of crackdowns on electricity theft, smog and other drives.

According to police, the number of registered FIRs had crossed one million because under their “free registration policy,” police command were able to clear a backlog of pending complaints, registering 137,000 cases on pending complaints.

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Meanwhile, Lahore Police claimed a 32 percent reduction in heinous crimes in the provincial metropolis during past six months.

CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana announced a reduction in serious incidents like murder and attempted murder by 32 percent and a 20 percent decrease in vehicle theft during the past six months. The CCPO further noted a 17 percent decrease in property crimes in November from October, along with a 17 percent reduction in crimes against people during the same period. Moreover, robbery cases saw a 16 percent decline compared to the previous month, demonstrating a marked improvement in the investigation of cases over the past 6 months.

He also noted a noteworthy reduction in daily motorcycle thefts from 130 to 160 cases six months ago to the current numbers of between 30 and 50 cases.

He also highlighted the swift handling of over 400,000 pending road certificates from 2018 to 2023 and over 300,000 under-investigation cases. Serious offences such as robbery, burglary, kidnapping for ransom, murder and attempted murder have also been addressed promptly.

In meeting chaired by IG Punjab Usman Anwar at Central Police Office (CPO), attended by Additional IG Special Branch Zulfiqar Hameed, Additional IG Welfare Riaz Nazir Gara, Additional IG Punjab Sultan Ahmad Chaudhry, CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana and all senior officers, DIG Organized Crime Unit (OCU) Captain (Retired) Liaqat Ali Malik claimed an arrest tally of 34,619 accused, while submitting challans in 24,524 cases this year.

These figures included 913 accused of A-category crimes, including murder, robbery and 662 accused of 201 gangs were arrested. More than Rs82 million stolen in various incidents were recovered from criminals and returned to citizens.

Malik further said that 2,126 accused were arrested in 1,972 drug cases and OCU submitted challans of 8,215 cases, including more than 7,000 cases of murder, robbery and serious crimes.

DIG Organized Crime further said that no high profile cases including target killing, kidnapping for ransom are pending in Lahore city.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th,  2023.