THIS is with reference to the report ‘Another young man killed by robbers in Gulshan’ (June 2). Itteqa Moeen was murdered in cold blood in the Gulshan-i-Iqbal area of Karachi. It does not count whether he was an engineer or a gold medallist. What really matters is that he was a son, a brother, a husband. He came head to head with a couple of muggers who, with a single bullet, finished him and everything associated with him in no time.

This is not the first time one has the occasion to write on the issue of rising crime in the city. Mugging and snatching are now minor issues. The worrisome part is the ease with which the criminals are killing people and getting away with it. Those at the helm of affairs do not seem to be bothered by it at all. Perhaps, the life of a citizen is a secondary issue for them.

Beyond Karachi, we get to watch videos of victims abducted for ransom in katcha areas pleading for their released, but to no avail. A few days ago, a special meeting was held by the president of Pakistan at the Chief Minister House in Sindh to discuss the failing law and order situation in the province.

The meeting gave some hope to the people about things moving in the right direction. However, unfortunately, nothing happened. By the looks of it, the political administration in the province is helpless and has no control over the situation, or they are just not really bothered.

Are we waiting for the sky to fall, and some Bushra Zaidi-like disorder in the city when the army had to be called in to control the law and order situation in Karachi? If that is the case, why should we wait for that ‘trigger’ moment? Call the army and swallow the bitter pill now. After all, it is better late than never.

Malik ul Quddoos
Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2024