On Saturday, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, experienced a surge in violent crime, with over 100 criminal incidents reported, including 17 robberies that resulted in two fatalities, leaving residents feeling increasingly unsafe, Dawn reported.
This sharp rise in crime has raised widespread concern among the residents of the city, particularly in the garrison city, where the victims of these robberies were from diverse backgrounds. The reported incidents included robberies, thefts, and assaults, with many victims targeted on the streets. Numerous individuals had their motorcycles and mobile phones stolen, and in several cases, both cash and valuables were taken, often accompanied by physical violence.
An elderly resident expressed his fear, saying he no longer felt safe even outside his home. He pointed out that even the poorest individuals were not spared, with robbers aggressively taking their money.
Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir also voiced concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Rawalpindi. Taking to the social media platform X, Mir remarked, "Rawalpindi is turning into the most dangerous city in Punjab. The sense of security in the garrison city is rapidly declining as more than 100 crime incidents were reported to the police on Saturday, including 17 robberies that resulted in two deaths."
Earlier in 2024, Rawalpindi had already been grappling with a surge in armed robberies, extortion, and thefts, with women becoming frequent targets, especially while shopping or going about their daily routines, according to The Express Tribune. A troubling pattern emerged where women walking alone on the streets were robbed of their valuables—cash, mobile phones, wallets, and ATM cards—in at least six separate incidents. This disturbing trend has raised serious concerns about the safety and security of women in the city.
The rising crime rate in Pakistan, particularly in Rawalpindi, highlights the growing issues of lawlessness and violence in the country. The criminal landscape continues to be marred by organized crime syndicates, terrorism, kidnappings, extortion, and drug trafficking. Law enforcement agencies often struggle with limited resources, political interference, and corruption, hindering efforts to combat these crimes effectively. (Source: ANI)
