Karachi crimes

Political wheeling and dealing may have helped cool down tempers to some extent but Karachi continues to simmer. Targeted killings have declined due to the exigencies of power but street crimes continue to rise. Many have been mugged at gunpoint or know of loved ones who have met with similar fates. Anyone who has had a gun pointed at his or her head will testify that there are few moments in life that are more terrifying. But still it goes on and the law-enforcement authorities are usually nowhere to be seen. Traffic jams, by now routine in many parts of Karachi, have become an easy hunting ground for armed criminals. Resistance in cases of such hold-ups is futile – either one hands over one’s valuables or risks being shot.
As reported in newspapers, buses are boarded by criminals who rob, even kill passengers. Yet this is seen by some as an aspect of daily life that we have to accept. Do we deserve to live constantly in fear of the unknown with criminal mentalities? The answer is a resounding no. It is the responsibility of the state to protect the lives and properties of its citizens. The Supreme Court has set up a bench to monitor progress on action taken against political, religious and ethnic violence in the city.
Perhaps, a similar notice should be taken of the street-crime graph and directions given to the police to curb its rise. True, poverty and deprivation have a conspicuous role in street crime and it is the government’s responsibility to take remedial measures to reverse the trend over the long term. However, in the meantime, the law-enforcement apparatus, which is well aware of the city’s layout and its sensitive spots, should be more visible, especially during rush hour, to give a sense of security to commuters.
MAIMUNA RAZA
Karach