Pakistan: Urgent Concerns Rise as Islamabad's Crime Rate Escalates
Click to start listening
Islamabad, Jan 10 (NationPress) In 2024, more than 900 individuals, comprising women and children, have been reported as abducted, with 152 cases of sexual assault or molestation disclosed by the police in Pakistan's capital.
The alarming figures have cast serious doubts on Islamabad's previously held reputation as one of the safest cities for its residents.
Last year, a staggering 891 kidnapping cases were officially logged in the city, which included 483 teenage girls, 306 men, and over 150 women, indicating a significant rise in danger.
According to a police officer, “267 kidnapping instances were recorded in Soan, 214 in Saddar, 204 in Rural, 127 in City, and 79 cases in the industrial sectors of Islamabad.”
The reported cases involve abductions for various reasons including property extortion, ransom demands, forced marriages, and wrongful confinement. Notably, 60 cases of teenagers being kidnapped were documented.
“Islamabad has long been viewed as the most organized and well-managed city in Pakistan. However, it now appears that safety is a concern for everyone. From kidnappings to murders, robberies, rapes, and sexual assaults, the city has turned into a nightmare for young girls, women, the elderly, and teenage boys. The increase in such crimes is deeply troubling,” stated Syeda Reshum Masood, a local resident.
“Women who once ventured out freely are now exceedingly cautious about leaving their homes or allowing their children outside. The pervasive feeling of insecurity and fear is unmistakable,” she added.
Adding to the distressing situation is the reported involvement of police officers in the abuse of minors in their custody, along with efforts to manipulate evidence.
In one distressing incident, three investigative officers and a medico-legal officer from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) were implicated in destroying evidence and altering blood samples related to a rape suspect.
In another shocking case, a police officer was accused of abducting and sexually assaulting two minors.
The surge in such incidents has left local residents terrified, as they navigate life in the heart of the nation’s capital.
