PHC seeks report on rising street crimes

PESHAWAR: Expressing concern over rising incidents of street crimes in Hayatabad, Peshawar High Court (PHC) acting Chief Justice SM Atique Shah on Monday directed the SHO concerned to submit a report on how crime in the area could be curbed and what measures should be taken.

During the hearing of a petition related to the recovery of a missing woman from a local Darul Aman, the chief justice remarked that the growing lawlessness in the upscale locality had left residents in a constant state of fear.

The chief justice noted that despite recurring criminal incidents, effective steps had yet to be taken to address the deteriorating security situation.He maintained that two police stations were insufficient to serve a population of 800,000 to one million residents in Hayatabad.

Additional Advocate General Adnan Ali, Hayatabad Police Station SHO Tariq Ali, and a police focal person were present during the hearing. Justice Shah inquired from the SHO about the causes behind the surge in street crime. The SHO explained that drug addicts from neighbouring Khyber district frequently breached the boundary wall near Shakas area, committed crimes, and fled back through the broken wall.

The SHO added that the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) had reconstructed the wall several times, but it continued to be broken down. Expressing astonishment, the chief justice inquired whether there was a police post near the wall.

The SHO confirmed the presence of a post but said limited resources were a major challenge. Previously, each police mobile unit received 350 litres of diesel per month, but now this allocation was made per police station rather than per vehicle, significantly hampering mobility and response time.

When asked about the population of Hayatabad, the SHO informed the court that the area was home to between 800,000 to one million residents.Hamza Advocate, a resident of Hayatabad who was also present in court, told the bench that the law and order in the locality was serious, especially after sunset, and even security personnel faced difficulties. He said many criminals crossed over from Khyber and escaped after committing crimes.

When asked by the chief justice whether any formal petition had been submitted in this regard, Hamza Advocate responded that several complaints had been lodged.The court directed the Hayatabad SHO to submit a report on how crime in the area could be curbed and what measures should be taken.