Emergency could not deter crime rate in Pak

Despite the proclamation of a state of emergency on November 3, criminals in Pakistan have carried out their activities at a much faster rate than ever before during the last month.

Karachi, Dec 5 : Despite the proclamation of a state of emergency on November 3, criminals in Pakistan have carried out their activities at a much faster rate than ever before during the last month.

According to figures, compiled by police authorities and the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), there was a sharp surge in street crimes, shootouts, bank robberies and killings of security men between November 3 and December 2.

"From November 3 to December 3, at least 4,740 mobile phones had been stolen or snatched at gunpoint," the Dawn quoted an official, as saying.

"During the month before the emergency rule, a total of 4,588 people mobile phones were snatched or robbed," he added.

A total of 465 cars were stolen, compared to 437 vehicles hijacked in the 30 days before President Pervez Musharraf issued the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO).

"A total of 1,045 motorcycles had been stolen or snatched from October 3 to November 2, and the number rose to 1,135 during the next 30 days," added the official.

In same period five bank robberies registered in which the robbers hauled away more than 22 million rupees.

In the month before the emergency rule, there were only two bank heists, which did cause financial damages but did not challenge the writ of law, the daily reported.

However, the authorities say that the month under the emergency rule was not much different in terms of crime.

"I have not received any figures of crimes committed during the last month. So I can't comment on that particular subject," Ghulam Mohtaram, Sindh home secretary, told Dawn.

ANI