Peshawar High Court (PHC) Acting Chief Justice, Justice SM Atiq Shah, has expressed serious concern over the growing incidents of street crime in Hayatabad Township, stating that residents of the upscale neighborhood are increasingly distressed by the deteriorating law and order situation.
Despite the frequency of such crimes, no significant measures have been taken to curb them, he noted.
Justice Atiq Shah made these remarks during the hearing of a petition regarding the recovery of a woman who went missing from the Darul Aman (women's shelter) in Hayatabad in 2023.
Additional Advocate General Adnan Ali, the police focal person, and Hayatabad SHO Tariq Ali appeared before the court. During the proceedings, the Chief Justice questioned the SHO on the rising crime rate in Hayatabad and asked why the situation continues to worsen.
The SHO explained that drug-addicted individuals from neighboring Khyber District frequently breach the boundary wall near Shah Kas, committing crimes and fleeing back through the same route. The SHO added that although the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) has rebuilt the wall multiple times, it continues to be broken by these individuals.
Surprised by this revelation, the Chief Justice inquired why no police post had been established at the vulnerable location. The SHO responded that while a post does exist, it suffers from a severe lack of resources. Previously, each police station received 350 liters of diesel per month for mobile patrols, but now only 350 liters are allocated for the entire station, significantly hindering operations.
When asked about Hayatabad's population, the SHO stated it ranges between 800,000 to 1 million. Justice Atiq Shah observed, "The entire population of Kuwait is around 1.3 million, while Hayatabad alone houses nearly 1 million residents. Yet, the area is being policed by only two police stations and three posts - this is wholly inadequate."
In relation to the missing woman from Darul Aman, petitioner's counsel Manzoor Bashir informed the court that the woman has remained missing since 2023, and no investigation report has been submitted by the concerned SHO. The court demanded a report on her whereabouts and directed the provincial and federal governments, along with the police, to submit their findings within 14 days.
Advocate Hamza, a Hayatabad resident present in the courtroom, added that the law and order situation in the area is extremely poor and that the public is living in constant fear. After dusk, even law enforcement agencies face difficulties, as criminals often cross over from Khyber, commit crimes, and quickly escape.
The Chief Justice asked whether residents had formally petitioned the court regarding the issue. Advocate Hamza replied that several complaints had been filed but to no avail.
The court subsequently directed the SHO of Hayatabad to submit a detailed report outlining measures to control crime in the area and proposed actions to improve security. The court also ordered the inclusion of the PDA in the process to ensure the construction of a reinforced boundary wall.
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