THE world will enter the year 2018 AD in a fortnight. Pakistan is hearded for an election and the signs that polls are to be held sooner than later are to be seen everywhere.

The federal and provincial governments are putting in extra efforts and hours to bring an improvement in the people’s lives. Roads are being constructed, parks are getting facelifts, saplings are being planted on green belts and footpaths, new traffic signals are being erected when existing ones are working just fine. And the most startling of all, the traffic police seem to have become efficient overnight and doing their work responsibly. All good things, but in my humble opinion there is a caveat! Crime has increased at an alarming rate in the past few weeks.

I do not have access to classified information and can only cite our TV news channels as evidence for my contention. I have noticed that of late armed robberies, muggings, mobile snatching, and the latest development, short-term kidnapping for ransom have increased at a phenomenal rate.

Is there a connection of some sort? Is the recent crime wave the work of extremist groups that have created political parties and intend to finance their election campaign through such measures? Or are certain quarters creating such a situation on purpose to help their Quislings in the next election and at the same time also pay for their campaign. The icing being if voted to power they will work for and ensure a better law and order situation?

Allow me one last thought. Why is it always around the time of a general election campaign that there is an increase in such activities? All Pakistanis are keen to know what our political and other leaders have to say on this issue.

Afreen Mirza

Karachi

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2017