Rampant crime exposes policing failure in Sindh

As political influence restricts crackdowns against criminals, locals continue to live amidst lawlessness, insecurity

A Home Department report has revealed that the Larkana division, comprising Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Kandhkot, Qambar-Shahdadkot, and Larkana districts, has been worst hit by kidnapping-for-ransom cases, a situation fueled by local political backing and corruption that shields criminals from police action.

Overall, more than 100 people were kidnapped in the province, with 81 incidents reported from Larkana division alone. During the same period, 18 people were kidnapped in Karachi and 23 in Sukkur. Similarly, in a recent encounter in Shikarpur district, nine drug dealers were killed while some police officers, including two DSPs, were also injured.

In these areas, it is believed that the local politicians provide backing to criminals, and in many areas, police officers cannot take action without their consent. In the past, police officers who acted independently were transferred from these districts. In 2020, SSP Dr Rizwan Ahmed, posted in Shikarpur, faced a similar situation. After reporting involvement of local politicians in crimes, he was immediately removed from his position.

On December 11, during an open court in Sujawal district held by Provincial Minister Shaheena Sher Ali, an elderly citizen complained that a powerful local politician had seized his agricultural land. Before he could complete his complaint, the politician's men started assaulting him inside the court. Despite the minister trying to stop the attack, the assailants continued. Surprisingly, even though local police officers were present, no action was taken against the attackers.

During the same week, in open courts held by other provincial ministers, citizens repeatedly raised concerns about law and order. In Jacobabad, during Provincial Minister Jam Ikramullah Dherojo's court, locals complained about rampant drugs and crime. Similarly, in Khairpur, citizens raised complaints about illegal activities during Provincial Minister Ali Hassan Zardari's court. In Umerkot, Special Advisor to the Chief Minister Syed Najmi Alam conducted an open court where most complaints concerned drug trafficking and land grabbing.

According to Sukkur-based journalist and analyst Rehmatullah Barro, a major reason behind lawlessness in districts across Sindh was political influence over police postings and transfers. "Appointments of most police officers, from police stations to district levels, are based on political recommendations. Officers appointed through political influence cannot act independently. In order to curb crime, police appointments should be made purely on merit. While qualified and professional officers are available in the province, they are either not posted or, if posted, are not given free hand,' said Barro.

Due to lack of law enforcement in Sindh, the local police and administration face multiple challenges. One such issue highlighted by the Home Department was the use of fake or fancy number plates on vehicles. This was revealed in a report recently submitted to the Sindh Assembly, which stated that while the trend of fake plates had decreased in Karachi, it remained high in other districts. According to the report, in the past four years, 403 vehicles in Karachi were caught with such plates, compared to 1,162 in Sukkur district.

Home Department spokesperson Sikandar Baloch told The Express Tribune that action was being taken against vehicles with illegal number plates.