This is in the context of a meeting reportedly held a couple of days ago by Additional Inspector General of police to review the measures for countering street crimes such as snatching of mobile phones etc in Karachi.
In this respect, I would suggest that CCTV cameras and non-political and well-paid police force is the only way to curb this menace effectively. I was encouraged to read a news report that Sharafuddin Memon, ex-chief CPLC and presently Consultant on Home Affairs, Sindh has also suggested the installation of over 900 CCTV cameras and formation of a Mujahideen Police Force for prevention of street crimes. I hope that recruitment in the Mujahideen Police Force is done on merit and not on political consideration.
Most of the street crimes and targeted killings are done by pillion riders wearing helmets that cover their faces also. If there is snap checking of pillion riders on a regular basis, it would act as a great deterrent for criminals carrying weapons. Besides helmets are needed for protection against head injuries during an accident but covering the face serves no purpose. I would therefore suggest that henceforth only helmets without face cover should be allowed so that the person can be identified by CCTV cameras whenever there is a need for it. Civil society needs to agitate on street crimes and targeted killings on a regular basis through the media to get the attention it needs from the concerned officials.