Lawlessness is spreading a sense of insecurity among Islamabad’s citizens, as 142 people have lost their vehicles during the first three month of the current year.
Their vehicles either have been stolen or snatched at gunpoint by car jackers, which badly exposed the Islamabad police’s effective ‘plans’ for curbing the growing car lifting incidents in the city.
It is worth mentioning here that these are just the reported cases while police always showed reluctance in registering FIRs of car-lifting.
“Despite police’s tall claims of controlling car theft in the city, the crime is increasing day-by-day as during the month of January 50 cars were stolen, in February 42 vehicles were stolen and in the month of March 50 people were deprived of their vehicles by car jackers,” said a senior police officer, seeking anonymity.
According to the information collected by Pakistan Today, 50 vehicles, mostly cars, were stolen from various areas of the city during the month of January, 42 vehicles were stolen in February while 50 were stolen in March. Of total 142 stolen vehicles, police managed to recover only 18.
According to documents available with Pakistan Today, during the first three months of current year, car-theft cases were reported in every 14 police station of the city.
While talking to senior police officers, Pakistan Today observed that car-lifting and other crimes could not be controlled until the senior officers and station house officers were not appointed on merit. According to document, in March Margalla Police topped the list vis-à-vis car lifting cases with nine cases while Abpara Police secured second ‘position’ with six cases.
A senior police officer wishing not to be named said there was a group of influential police inspectors, who for the last six months managed to get SHO-ship at their desired police stations.
He said SHO Margalla Inspector Arshad Abro enjoying his position for the last many months despite the fact his police station’s jurisdiction remained favourtie for the car jackers to show their work during the months of March and February. Whereas, SHO Kohsar who during the last six months have been issued more than 15 show causes notices, but he is still enjoying his position.
Interestingly, notwithstanding presence of dozens of competent inspectors in the department, two influential Sub-Inspectors including Fazl-ur-Rehaman and Sheikh Naeem had also managed to get SHO-ship, the source said. SI Fazl-ur-Rehman is enjoying SHO-ship of Tarnol Police Station while Shiekh Naeem is posted at Shahzad Town Police Station.