Capital crime surge worries Senate panel

Standing Committee on Interior calls for transparency in police data

ISLAMABAD:

Senate Standing Committee on Interior Thursday sought a detailed report from the Islamabad police on the rising crime rates in the federal capital.

The committee highlighted alarming incidents, including a robbery involving a Senate officer and four bank heists within two days, as reported by Senator Samina Zehri.

Committee Chairman Senator Salim voiced frustration, noting that crime seems rampant across Islamabad, not just confined to banks.

"There's a fear that at any moment, a motorcycle rider could appear and a crime might occur," he remarked, describing the uneasy climate gripping the capital.

Islamabad IG Ali Nasir Rizvi briefed the committee, pointing out that the Safe City project currently covers only 30 per cent of Islamabad due to delays from the Ministry of Finance.

He also mentioned that Islamabad faces a unique challenge as a "sandwich" city between two provinces, with 89.7 per cent of suspects originating from neighbouring areas.

"We cannot place officers on every street and in front of every home," Rizvi explained.

Addressing recent high-profile bank robberies, Rizvi shared that a suspect had been apprehended in Sargodha, who allegedly committed a robbery in Islamabad before fleeing back to his hometown.

Of the 130 murders reported, 67 resulted from sudden altercations, and 73 per cent of such cases were promptly resolved by the police, he added.

The committee called for transparency in police data.

"We need specifics on monthly crime statistics and arrest figures," Chairman Salim insisted.

Senator Shahadat Awan added, "verbal briefings aren't enough – please back your statements with documents in the next meeting."

Other members raised additional concerns.

Senator Palwasha Khan questioned the security practices in private housing societies, alleging that armed guards employed there sometimes engage in criminal activity.

Rizvi responded, stating that 40 per cent of guards were sent back for lack of verification.

The committee also discussed potential strategies to curb the proliferation of weapons in Islamabad, with Chairman Salim asking for recommendations on making the city weapon-free.

Senator Samina Zehri brought up issues related to harassment at check-points, where fines of up to Rs5,000 are imposed for minor infractions such as irregular license plate displays.

Zehri questioned the fines for tinted vehicle windows, emphasising personal privacy concerns, and challenged the committee on the lack of regulations allowing such fines.

"There is no law authorising fines for tinted windows," confirmed Chairman Salim, responding to Zehri's call for standardised rules on vehicle glass restrictions.