ISLAMABAD: Crimes against people and property decreased by 15.6pc based on figures provided by Interior Minister Ijaz Ahmad Shah in the National Assembly on Wednesday.

In response to a question from MNA Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali, details placed in the National Assembly showed that murders, fatal and non-fatal accidents, robberies and burglaries fell in the capital compared to 2018.

Mr Chitrali had asked: “Will the minister for interior be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that various crimes are on the rise in the country; (b) if so, the steps being taken for prevention/eradication of crimes, particularly, child sexual abuse, corruption, rape and drinking alcohol etc.?”

A total of 103 murders were reported in Islamabad in 2019, compared to 113 in 2018. Similarly, fatal accidents decreased from 153 in 2018 to 142 in 2019, according to the minister’s written response.

Non-fatal accidents decreased from 104 in 2018 to 68 in 2019, while dacoity incidents fell from 39 in 2018 to 27 in 2019.

There were 434 robberies in 2019 compared to 495 in 2018, and 71 burglaries in 2019 compared to 97 in 2018.

The response said that the recovery of illegal firearms decreased from 1,071 in 2018 to 1,035 in 2019. The number of miscellaneous cases also decreased from 2,270 in 2018 to 2,220 in 2019.

It said that the police have taken various steps to reduce crime including identifying crime pockets, crime cluster analysis, establishing check points, surveying informal settlements, intelligence-based policing, search operations, random checks at guesthouses, motels and hotels, surprise checks, surveying rented accommodation, illegal settlements and seminaries, patrolling, surveillance of suspects, data proofing released prisoners and monitoring through the Safe City system.

However, the capital saw a 168pc increase in child abuse cases in 2019 as well as a 38pc of increase in violence against women.

According data obtained from the Islamabad police through a Right to Information request by the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) and shared with the media, there were 57 cases of child abuse reported in the capital last year.

A total of 22 cases of child abuse were reported in 2018, while 47 cases of child sexual abuse and nine cases of other forms of abuse were reported in 2019.

The number of cases of violence against women also increased from 79 in 2018 to 109 in 2019. There were 43 cases of violence against women – 31 cases of women being kidnapped and 35 cases of rape – in 2019, compared to 37 such cases – four of kidnapping and 38 of rape – in 2018.

However, the SSDO said there has been an overall decrease in criminal activity by up to 8pc compared to 2018.

Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2020