Growing crime wave puts women at risk

A surge in armed robbery, extortion and theft incidents has gripped Rawalpindi, with women being increasingly targeted while out shopping or going about their daily routine.

In a disturbing trend, women walking alone on the streets have been deprived of their valuables, including cash, mobile phones, wallets and ATM cards in six separate incidents.

Two incidents of street crime and theft were reported by women in the Newtown area of Rawalpindi. In the first incident, Ghazala Shabnam filed a complaint with the Newtown police, stating that she was crossing the road in the commercial market when two unknown motorcyclists approached her.

They snatched her purse, which contained cash worth Rs50,000 and a mobile phone. In the second incident, Yashma Tanveer reported that her mobile phone was snatched from her pocket.

Asma Shaheen, a resident of the Sadiqabad police station area, filed a complaint alleging that she was robbed while on her way to the commercial market with her daughters. According to her statement, an unknown motorcyclist snatched her purse, making off with Rs12,000 in cash, a mobile phone valued at Rs50,000 and an ATM card.

Sobia Nazir, a resident of the Naseerabad police station area, alleged that she was robbed at gunpoint while travelling in a rickshaw from Dhok Gujran to MH Hospital. The rickshaw-puller snatched Rs45,000 in cash and her mobile phone. In another incident, Khalid Parveen from the Civil Lines police station area reported that her mobile phone was stolen near Marir Hassan Metro station.

Meanwhile, Urooj reported being robbed on Banaras Road. The victim stated that she was walking when two unknown boys approached her from behind on a motorcycle and snatched her cash, mobile phone and purse right from her hands.

The recent spate of crimes in markets has created a sense of insecurity among women, who are now hesitant to venture out of their homes.