A cry for justice

Itteqa’s murder is not a isolated incident, it is part of a horrifying pattern of violence that has gripped Karachi

Karachi now resembles an orphan child, abandoned and exposed to the perils of lawlessness. The city’s youth, the promise of its future, are being gunned down in broad daylight by heartless robbers who kill without remorse. This grim reality recently took centre stage by the tragic murder of Itteqa Moeen, a 27-year-old gold medalist mechanical engineer and Hafiz-e-Quran, who was brutally killed by gunmen in Gulshan-i-Iqbal for the paltry reward of a motorcycle, a cell phone and some valuables.

Itteqa’s murder is not an isolated incident. It is part of a horrifying pattern of violence that has gripped Karachi. Despite the high number of arrests, street crime continues unabated, with robbers acting with impunity. The tragic loss of Itteqa has sparked outrage among the community and opposition parties, who have called for a grand operation against dacoits in Karachi and an end to the politicisation of the police force. They demand restoration of peace in a city that once thrived on its promise of safety and prosperity. The police have registered a case under sections 302 (premeditated murder), 397 (robbery or dacoity) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code, but this is only the beginning of a long road to justice. To begin with, a comprehensive crackdown on criminal dens is imperative. Law enforcement agencies need to identify and dismantle hubs of illegal activities. This involves conducting intelligence-driven operations to root out gangs and criminal networks that operate in the shadows. Catching the perpetrators who were involved and meting out severe punishment will set a strict precedence.

In tandem with this, a complete overhaul of the police force is non-negotiable. The police in Karachi, notorious for their corruption and inefficiency, require a thorough reform. The people of Karachi deserve better. They deserve a city where they can walk the streets without fear, where their children can grow up without the shadow of violence hanging over them.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 4^th, 2024.

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