Islamabad: In the vibrant core of the country, the federal capital of Islamabad recently became the stage for an inspiring display of dedication and skill. Guided by the astute guideline of the DIG Islamabad, the city’s young PSP officers - the SSP (Operations), SSP (Investigation), and SSP Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) - have etched a remarkable chapter in law enforcement. Their unwavering commitment bore fruit in the resolution of deeply troubling cases, ranging from the heart-wrenching kidnapping of a tender three-year-old, the brutal Ishtiaq Abbasi murder, and the tragic double homicide of two women, to the agonizing Hamza murder case and the distressing rape of a 21-year-old visitor from the Netherlands, culminating in the apprehension of the alleged perpetrator. This collective meritorious performance stands as a testament to their resolve and a beacon of hope for justice.
Harnessing rapid response capabilities and sophisticated technological tools, the Islamabad Police demonstrated exceptional efficiency by apprehending the suspect within a mere 51 hours following a foreign national’s distressing report on May 4th. The victim recounted a harrowing ordeal involving kidnapping, sexual assault and the theft of her valuable possessions.
The reprehensible act of the rape of a foreign national, particularly a woman visiting Pakistan, is a grave offense necessitating a robust and multifaceted response. Several entities within Pakistan’s legal and administrative structure bear responsibility for countering and combating such crimes.
The primary responsibility for investigating such crimes rests with the local police. Under Pakistani law, rape is an atrocious offense, empowering the police to initiate investigations and make arrests without a judicial warrant. Upon the reporting of such a crime, the police are mandated to register a First Information Report (FIR). Furthermore, in cases involving sexual assault, the presence of a female police officer is ideally required.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) also has a role to play, especially when there is a potential nexus to organized crime, which could conceivably be associated with offenses against foreign nationals. Additionally, the FIA coordinates efforts to combat human trafficking within Pakistan.
Ultimately, the judicial system is tasked with prosecuting the accused and ensuring justice for the victim. Pakistan’s legal framework, notably the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), explicitly defines and criminalizes the act of rape. Complementary laws and constitutional rights are also pertinent, guaranteeing the right to a fair trial and protection against discrimination.
This assessment lays bare a deeply troubling reality concerning law enforcement agencies, including the police and the FIA, identifying them not merely as passive observers but as potential epicentres from which corruption metastasizes. The assertion that current policing capabilities are insufficient to even apprehend perpetrators of heinous crimes like the rape of a foreign national speaks volumes about their operational efficacy. However, the critique extends beyond mere incompetence, suggesting a systemic rot that undermines the very possibility of altering the “inescapable crime culture.”
The analysis astutely points out that effective implementation of the law becomes impossibility in a society where its principles are effectively “mortgaged” to influential segments of an “unmanaged” populace. This implies a disturbing scenario where legal recourse is not a right, but a commodity obtainable according to a self-serving “price-tag.” The damning indictment of law enforcement agencies as “wholesale agents of financial and moral corruption” paints a stark picture of complicity, suggesting that these institutions are not just failing to uphold the law, but are actively facilitating its subversion for venal gain. This environment, where the guardians of justice are implicated in its degradation, represents a profound crisis of governance and erodes the foundational trust necessary for a just society.
This revelation casts a stark shadow upon the integrity of the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Anti-Corruption wing itself. The fact that no less than fourteen officers within this ostensibly “esteemed” civil investigation agency are reportedly under departmental inquiry for alleged involvement in corrupt practices and financial misconduct is deeply concerning. This internal scrutiny suggests a potential systemic vulnerability, wherein the very body tasked with combating corruption may be compromised from within. Such allegations not only undermine public trust in the FIA’s capacity to effectively tackle corruption in other sectors but also raise serious questions about the character and ethical standards prevalent within its ranks. If the anti-corruption unit is itself susceptible to such malfeasance, its ability to serve as a credible and effective bulwark against corruption elsewhere is severely jeopardized. This situation demands rigorous and transparent investigation to restore confidence in the agency’s mandate.
In a state where the rule of law should reign supreme, its foundational prerequisite - the fear of legal consequences - languishes in near-total absence. This alarming deficiency stems from the very custodians of power, the ruling elite and the influential class, who ironically stand as the foremost impediment to the impartial and equitable application of the law. Consequently, this entrenched anti-system faction has effectively commandeered the entire governance structure, inducing a debilitating paralysis. They have obstructed every avenue leading to the establishment and fair execution of legal principles, thereby fostering an environment where unchecked bribery and corruption flourish with impunity.
A substantial portion of this failure can be attributed to the police force. Its senior echelons often prioritise the appeasement of their superiors over their fundamental duty: the diligent and principled enforcement of the law. Their true mandate lies in confronting criminal syndicates and upholding the integrity of the legal framework.
