PESHAWAR: If you go by the name, the place itself promises security to its residents. All associations with the word Defence —in this case the name of the colony the residents are from — come into play.
“A gated community” — safe and secure, if not for any other reason, then for the fact that many, who live here still do, or have held powerful positions in the civil-military bureaucracy in the past.
The residents of Defence Officers Colony Peshawar pay to private security companies monthly fees in thousands of rupees but the city’s upscale — “posh” being the other frequent appellation — neighbourhood is far from safe. The threat that violates its sense of security doesn’t come from criminals but the so-called “scions” of wealthy, influential families -- gangs of youth, who have little patience or respect for the shaky pretence of values and safety their parents have created for themselves, often through hard, honest work and pursuits.
“These days, our daughters and sisters can’t go out for a walk without the risk of being teased or experiencing a shameful episode at the hands of young men,” said a resident of Defence Officers Colony who wished to stay anonymous because the colony and its affairs are sensitive to criticism.
Many residents of the posh area have shifted to Islamabad
“They come here in vehicles with official registration plates and tinted glasses. They park the vehicles and take drugs like methamphetamine and cannabis in the parks or the corners of the street. If you stop them, they threaten you with firearms or fights,” he added.
On Friday night last week, one such official vehicle with several young men came to the colony and parked in a street in front of a house.
The vehicle was spotted by a security guard in the street. He said that the watchman of the house came out to see why it was parked there.
The boys in the vehicle took umbrage to being asked why, even when they failed to explain why they were there.
They refused to give their credentials to the watchman, who said that he was worried at the sight of strangers parked outside the house for no reason.
They left but after a while came around again. This time the owner of the house took up a fight with them and in the ensuing brawl, blows were exchanged.
The boys in the vehicle created a big scene, kicking the gate of the house and asking the owners to come out.
Police turned up at the scene but they, alongside the security guards, were helpless to take action against the boys when they revealed that they were from the family of a senior officer in planning and development department.
The residents of Defence Officers Colony are mostly retired people. Built in the seventies, it once housed offices and schools. In time, the Cantonment Board phased out all such establishments from the colony, making it purely a residential complex.
In the eighties, former governor of the province General Fazle Haq, a close associate of General Zia during his martial law regime in the 80s, lived in the colony and developed it considerably.
Many other old-timers, who have served on important posts in the services, have homes in the colony.
Even though the colony is situated in the heart of the cantonment with sensitive security installations around it, and having residents with powerful positions and associations, it remains insecure.
It is in view of episodes of theft, extortion and indecent behaviour on part of strangers, who frequent the colony, and many of its inhabitants have shifted from here to Islamabad.
Those, who remain in this once sequestered residential neighbourhood, feel vulnerable and helpless against such threats. Most of them have resorted to hiring private security firms.
“Even though we have access to all amenities of life here yet it all fades in the face of threat to our peace of mind from strangers, who are protected by the powerful connections they have,” said another resident of the colony.
Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2020