ISLAMABAD, JUN 28 /DNA/ – Islamabad’s fragile security situation was once again laid bare when a senior journalist was robbed at gunpoint in Sector G‑11 during the early hours of June 26.
The incident occurred around 12:15 a.m., barely 500 meters from the Ramna police station, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement in the capital city.
According to the FIR, the robbers intercepted the journalist near G‑11 and fled directly toward Mehrabadi, a notorious settlement adjacent to the sector.
Residents describe Mehrabadi, part of the larger katchi abadi network, as a hub of criminal activity where even police patrols hesitate to enter. The journalist, visibly shaken, told this media house: “Nobody dares to go there, not even the police.”
Despite the proximity of the crime scene to a police station, no patrols were present at the time. The victim lodged a formal complaint with Ramna police, and an FIR has been registered.
Investigations have reportedly begun, but locals remain skeptical about whether justice will be served.
Residents point to the failure of Islamabad’s much‑touted Safe City project, noting that most surveillance cameras in the area are either dysfunctional or not monitored effectively.
The project, launched with great fanfare, was meant to provide real‑time monitoring of the capital’s streets. Instead, it has become symbolic of inefficiency and neglect.
The absence of street lights has made matters worse. The CDA’s negligence in maintaining illumination across major sectors has left entire neighborhoods vulnerable.
Criminals exploit the darkness, using it as a shield to ambush citizens and escape undetected.
Residents argue that the lack of lighting is not just a civic failure but a direct contributor to rising crime. Outlaws benefit from this environment, while ordinary citizens are left exposed.
Residents of G‑11 expressed frustration, saying that if such brazen crimes can occur in well‑populated, settled sectors, the situation in sparsely populated areas must be even worse.
“If criminals can strike here, what hope is there for those living in less secure neighborhoods?” one resident remarked. Another added that the absence of routine patrols and the reluctance of police to confront criminal networks entrenched in informal settlements have emboldened offenders.
This robbery is not an isolated case but part of a troubling pattern. Sector G‑11, due to its proximity to Mehrabadi, has long been considered unsafe after dark.
The absence of routine patrols and the reluctance of police to confront criminal networks entrenched in informal settlements have emboldened offenders.
Residents say that criminals often retreat into Mehrabadi after committing crimes, knowing that police rarely pursue them there.
For journalists, who often face threats due to their profession, the incident is particularly alarming.
It highlights not only the risks faced by ordinary citizens but also the dangers confronting those tasked with holding institutions accountable.
A senior journalist being robbed so close to a police station sends a chilling message: nobody is safe, regardless of profession or status.=DNA
