Unsafe in their homes, Sadiqabad locals block Benazir Bhutto Road

Traffic on busy road suspended for two hours; protesters demand arrest of wanted man.

RAWALPINDI: Residents of Sadiqabad on Sunday blocked the Benazir Bhutto Road for over two hours to protest against the police’s inability to arrest a crime ring leader and his accomplices.

The protesters, a majority of whom were young men, gathered outside the Saidqabad Police Station and chanted slogans against the Station House Officer (SHO) Karim Nawaz Niazi for failing to arrest Abrar, alias Bhara, a crime ring leader who is wanted in 21 different criminal cases.

The protesters said Abrar and his gang has spread terror in the locality. They demanded immediate arrest of all gang members and Niazi’s suspension. They also alleged that the gang has support of the Sadiqabad police.

Raza Ahmed Shah, one of the organisers of the protest, said that even after registering numerous cases against the gang members, the police have not made a single arrest. “The people feel unsafe,” he added.

Shah said the issue was brought to the notice of the city police officer, the inspector general of police, and also to the complaint cell of Punjab chief minister, but nothing has been done to bring the gang members to justice.

The protesters dispersed after Deputy Superintendent Police Nadeem Sabir assured them that “immediate” action will be taken against the criminals. The protestors warned of pronounced protests if Abrar and his gang members are not arrested within 48 hours.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2012.