The visit was arranged on instructions of Inspector General of Punjab Tariq Saleem Dogar, who had taken notice of the media reports about the rise in crime rate.
DIG (Vigilance) Azeem Laghari visited Rashidabad, Tariqabad, Khushal Colony and other areas in Multan district.
Talking to The Express Tribune, he said the police high ups were concerned about the increasing crime rate. He, however, held that police department could not be singled out for the increasing crime rate, saying that they were a “reflection of the society”. He agreed that justice delivery should be made more speedy and efficient.
Laghari said that there was a need to depoliticise the department in order to enhance its performance.
According to the official figures available to The Tribune, overall crime rate in Multab division has increased over the past year. 8,884 crime incidents were reported in the division in 2010 so far.
In these, around Rs1.92 billion worth of valuables were looted or stolen.
The number of murders in the division was 460, including 12 during dacoities. More than 50 people died by drinking poisonous liquor.
About 3060 cases of illegal possession of weapons, 440 cases of narcotics and 770 cases of torture on women were reported.
Commenting on these figures, Regional Police Officer Arif Ikran said his team was committed to fighting crime. He hoped that the situation would improve in future. He held that civilians needed to extend greater support to the criminals.
Several citizens The Tribune talked to, expressed dissatisfaction with the police’s behaviour.
They alleged that about 60 to 70 per cent FIRs never got registered due to political pressure. They said that many people never report a crime to the police because of the fear that they would be harassed.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 9th, 2010.
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