Reform the police

The justice system has set a new precedence by sentencing one individual to death and another to life imprisonment in the 2020 case of a watchman's murder during a robbery. While such severe punishments are often deemed a last resort, they also reflect the desperate state of street crime in Pakistan. Although these rulings may temporarily satisfy public outrage and act as a warning to criminal elements, they fall short of addressing the root causes that allow such crimes to flourish.

Deterrence, though vital, cannot be the sole weapon in the fight against crime. The real issue lies in the chronic inefficiencies of law enforcement. Decades of neglect have left Pakistan's police force undertrained, underequipped and overburdened, relying on outdated practices that fail to meet modern challenges. The unchecked growth of criminal networks, coupled with ineffective policing, has fostered an environment where citizens are left to fend for themselves. To combat this, comprehensive police reform is essential. Law enforcement must undergo rigorous physical training and be equipped with advanced investigative techniques to enhance their ability to solve crimes efficiently. Additionally, adopting data-driven policing strategies can modernise law enforcement practices, enabling a proactive approach to crime prevention. Police personnel must not only respond to crimes effectively but also anticipate and neutralise potential threats before they occur. However, reforming practices alone won't suffice. Corruption within the police force continues to erode public confidence and undermine crime-fighting efforts. Officers complicit with criminal elements must be rooted out, and strict accountability mechanisms must be enforced. Without eliminating these internal weaknesses, even the most well-planned reforms will falter.

While severe punishments may momentarily deter criminals, they are no substitute for systemic change. Pakistan must prioritise building a robust, transparent policing system that can lay the foundation for long-term public safety.