Islamabad's crime surge exposes policing gaps despite tall claims

-- Over 60 serious offences in a week raise alarms as authorities struggle to match rhetoric with results

ISLAMABAD: A troubling spike in crime over the past seven days has left residents of the federal capital grappling with fear and uncertainty, as incidents of murder, abduction, robbery, theft, and street crime were reported dozens of times across the city.

The situation has been further aggravated by the killing of a prominent businesses man in a posh locality, alongside the controversial death of a citizen within the jurisdiction of a suburban police station. While police claim the individual was killed by robbers, the incident has only deepened public anxiety.

Questions are now being raised over the performance and effectiveness of a force comprising over 10,000 personnel and dozens of senior officers. Once regarded as Pakistan’s safest city, Islamabad is increasingly witnessing criminals operating openly with sophisticated firearms, as evidenced by multiple CCTV footage circulating in recent days.

Police leadership, however, appears content with announcing limited arrests. Following the apprehension of a few suspects, the capital police chief held a formal press conference, offering little clarity on the broader failure to curb crime.

According to official data available to Pakistan Today, more than 60 serious crimes were recorded within a single week. These include four murders, two abductions, five thefts, and an alarming 49 cases of robbery and street mugging.

Most incidents were reported across nine police stations, including Khanna, Shams Colony, Koral, Loi Bher, I-9, Karachi Company, Shahzad Town, Sabzi Mandi, and Tarnol.

In the aftermath of trader Amir Awan’s killing, the Inspector General of Police claimed in a press briefing that five members of the so-called 'Mansoor Gang' including two Afghan nationals had been arrested. However, he failed to provide a clear explanation of how heavily armed suspects managed to enter a sensitive area.

Meanwhile, the murder of an 11-year-old girl, who was strangled, remains unresolved, with no arrests made so far.

Street crime, particularly robbery at gunpoint, has emerged as the most pressing concern. With 49 such incidents in just one week, the figures reflect a deteriorating law-and-order situation. Victims of these crimes often suffer lasting psychological trauma, reinforcing a growing sense of insecurity among citizens.

The capital police also faced international embarrassment when a German tourist’s bicycle and camera were stolen. Although the stolen items were later recovered following intervention by the German embassy, the incident dealt a blow to Islamabad’s image as a safe destination for visitors.

Responding to queries, a police spokesperson said that, on the directives of the Inspector General, teams are actively working across the city to improve law and order, ensure arrests, and maintain peace.

However, for many residents, these assurances ring hollow against the backdrop of rising crime and diminishing public confidence.