People left at mercy of armed marauders: MQM-P

Party leaders say provincial govt least bothered about plight of street crime victims

KARACHI:

How long the Karachiites will continue to see their loves ones being killed by armed men during robberies, street crimes and other criminal activities?, said the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) senior leader Nasreen Jalil on Monday. The law enforcement agencies have failed to curb criminal activities, she said.

"Today's press conference is not an ordinary one, it is the wailing of the mothers, sisters, children and parents of more than 59 citizens of Karachi who have been killed by robbers," Nasreen said.

"The people of the metropolis are tired of carrying janazas of their loved ones killed by ruthless muggers," she said in a voice overwhelmed with emotion.

There is a rule of dacoits in the city and it is not possible to stop the grief and anger of the citizens. There is an atmosphere of fear everywhere.

She said that the statements of the PPP government, home minister, IG and other high-ups who claim that everything is normal and no special action is required, gives enough to think that they are least bothered. The situation has crossed the alarming level as women, mothers, sisters, daughters and even elderly people do not feel safe at home.

These views were expressed by Nasreen Jalil and the leader of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly Ali Khurshidi during a press conference at Pakistan House.

Ali Khurshidi, said that 59 people have lost their lives in the city in three months. The Sindh government has completely failed to maintain peace and curb crimes. This is not an ordinary city but a revenue engine of the country which is handed over to bandits. Not a single street in the city is safe. As many as 100 women were robbed during Eid shopping. The problem of street crime is not the problem of MQM only, it is the problem of people belonging to all religions. Ministers who say that the situation is under control should be ashamed of them. Ali Khurshidi maintained that engineers, doctors, and majors of the Pakistan Army are killed and no one is asking. More than seven hundred citizens are injured, and more than four hundred vehicles have been stolen so far this year. SHOs adopt delay tactics in filing FIRs. As per an estimate, mobile phones worth Rs900 million have been snatched in a month in the city, while mobile phones worth more than Rs10 billion are stolen annually. Street crime has now become an industry.

It seems that the Sindh government is backing the criminals. People are being killed on roads and highways. Even places of worship are not safe in this city.

Ali Khurshidi said that this is not a political issue but the issue of people's lives and property. They will raise their voice against street crime in the provincial and national assemblies. If we are ignored, we will be forced to take to the streets. We will record our protest in the provincial and national assemblies as well.

Ali Khurshidi said that they will soon announce their future line of action and it is the responsibility of the rulers and law enforcers to protect the lives and property of the citizens.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2024.