AS a virtual no-man’s land, the riverine katcha belt in upper Sindh and southern Punjab represents the invincibility of the country’s crime and power nexus. Police in Sindh claim to have recovered all 20 passengers who were abducted in Ghotki district when katcha criminals waylaid another bus recently. Kidnapping for ransom in these violence-infested parts persists as an industry despite several large-scale operations by police, Rangers and the military. Recent images of outlaws brandishing military-grade weapons in TikTok videos are hard to forget. The failure to effectively tackle a decades-old problem exposes political insincerity, and calls for a modern, multidimensional approach towards an area where even law enforcers are not spared.

Politicians have long claimed ignorance about the source of ammunition that is suitable for warfare. It is time the security agencies exhibited some resolve to carry out regular, well-planned operations to clear this brutal stretch. The reality is that force alone cannot tackle crime that stems from abject deprivation. The denial of rights — especially education — health services, amenities and development to the area’s population has led to bandits calling the shots. More dangerous is the indifference with which this populace treats the government’s frequent proclamations of aggressive action. The facts on the ground in both Sindh and Punjab are not different and must change. Funds and resources allotted for security procedures continue to be pilfered, while a blueprint for progress in the bandit belt is missing. The presence of no-go zones in the country makes a mockery of law and order. As a result, the distrust between the people and the state deepens. The solution lies in socioeconomic growth for the youth, together with a synchronised, upgraded and sustained campaign against unlawful elements in both provinces. Only education and peace can prevent people, the young in particular, from turning to a life of crime.

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2025