Bilal Ishfaq
The protest and strike of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) had adversely disrupted entire administrative system, business, transportation activities and routine life across the country during November 22 to November 27, 2024.
The government and its concerned institutions engaged all the security personnel in tackling the protests and rallies in federal capital Islamabad, to stop the convoys of PTI to reach Capital through closure of motorways and railway services between major cities.
Attention of the administrative machinery was diverted towards Islamabad protests and the situation proved to be ideal for criminals and smugglers to fulfil their nefarious designs.
Though the situation has returned to normal now but the criminals took full advantage of this favourable situation and a major increase in crimes was recorded in Islamabad and other adjacent cities during this time.
Smugglers of weapons, drugs and illegal items fully cashed the situation as entire security was diverted to arrest of PTI activists, leaders to make its protest program unsuccessful.
A precarious increase in crimes rate was witnessed in different cities within a week.
Federal Capital Islamabad where all security forces were present was also not safe of crimes. A noticeable surge in street crimes was reported. Citizens were deprived of cash, cell phones and other valuables.
The city remained in the grip of criminals as they were fully aware of engagements and priorities of police as per directives of the high authorities.
During broad day-light street crimes took place and criminals openly robbed the citizens. The ICT Police failed completely to stop these incidents.
In such an incident, two unidentified motorcyclists snatched a valuable iPhone from a senior journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Daily ‘The Public Review’, Adnan Arif, and sped the scene. The incident took place on November 25, in Sector F-8/4 at Ismail Zabih Road, where Adnan Arif was having a walk with two of his friends. Two unidentified armed motorcyclists snatched his iPhone 14 Pro Max and escaped the scene. The F-8 Police have registered an FIR into the incident on complaint of the victim and started search for unknown suspects but arrest has been made in this connection till now.
