Massive fugitive tally haunts Rawalpindi

More than 20,000 suspects declared proclaimed offenders and court absconders in cases ranging from heinous crimes to other offences remain at large in Rawalpindi. Among them are over 700 Category A dangerous proclaimed offenders and a similar number of court absconders.

Expressing concern over the sluggish progress in arrests, Rawalpindi SSP Operations, Malik Tariq Mehmood, has directed all SHOs to meet the December targets set for apprehending proclaimed offenders and court absconders. Sources said the SSP has issued a formal circular to divisional SPs, SDPOs and all SHOs across the district.

According to the circular, SHOs have consistently been given monthly targets and instructions for arrests, but except for a few, most showed little interest and failed to deliver. The SSP has now issued written orders to constitute special teams and ensure maximum arrests.

The SSP also issued a clear warning that weekly reports on arrests must be submitted through the Circle Officers and Divisional SPs. Failure to meet the monthly target will result in strict departmental action.

Official data shows that Rawalpindi has a total of 10,324 proclaimed offenders, including 780 in Category A and 9,544 in Category B. Similarly, 10,313 court absconders are on record, including 799 in Category A and 9,514 in Category B.