Violent crimes have been at historic up nationwide; they are rising sharply in all cities. The rise seems to have been set off by something more bewildering.
Imagine Lahore only ten years ago: It was a different city; socially cohesive, closely knit. Young children could go visiting neighbors or to nearby shopping centers to get groceries and other things but not now. People then knew each other personally and had strong social bounds; hence courtesies for each other.
Things started changing with an exponential increase in urbanization. Large number of outsiders started moving in Lahore to live and or work. Now even the immediate neighbors do not know each other and people act like total strangers. Garish housing societies have come up on all the open spaces inside the city and Lahore has expanded much beyond what used to be municipal boundaries. The crime rate has grown with mush faster speed than the city.
What are the apparent causes? Many experts say that crimes are a result of disintegrating familial and dwindling community values that are contributing in turning young people into violent criminals.
Due to the growing demand for educated workforce and skilled labor, an employment base that used to provide jobs for those without a school certificate has shrunk considerably. This situation has resulted in a general lack of hope. “If one does not have skills, training, and when socio economic situation looks desperate, does that young man really have hope? I think that ties into the anger,” says a sociologist Dr. Muhammad Anwar, “This anger seem to be translating in to crimes, petty in the beginning that leads to more heinous ones at later stages.” This is the reasons that the criminals mostly are in their mid teens to mid-20’s.
One finds unskilled workers sitting in a linear fashion with their tools – mountains of paint brushes, piles of colour scheme cards, number of empty paint cans, digging paraphernalia and or hammers of different kind (who said unskilled labour) – along any city roads and squares waiting for a day’s job. They all come from suburbs to earn their livings. What options do they have when they do not get the job for the day and they have to go back home to family that is to b fed, is the question. They not only lose hope but may get frustrated that may lead them to resort to unfair means, what ever is possible for them.
Similarly, the army of maids and home servants who come from nearby villages and towns when dazzled by urban glamour are incited to commit to petty crimes and thefts.
Not only unskilled and uneducated segment, even degree holders find it difficult to get their first job after graduation because traditionally the job market in slow economy of Pakistan has always been tight. Which is why one reads reports of crimes (from purse and mobile phone snatching to car lifting to burglaries and murders) being committed by people from effluent class and living in posh localities of Lahore? Though generally, the poorer neighborhoods are considered to be the hubs for frequent criminal happenings. Let me hasten to add, this does not imply that there are no crimes in posh localities like Defense Society, or Gulberg or the criminals living in these localities can not commit crime around Railway Station or Badami Bagh Bus Terminal or Lakshmi or Bhatti gate.
Besides hopelessness, crimes are attributed to greed, to an evil nature, to poor parenting, to television, to movies, to the Internet, to whatever seems to be popular and not in accord with our old societal value system. These and many other are the reasons that we find crime rate rising on an alarming rate.
The harsh reality of a difficult job market and rising desperation can push individuals to make choices they would otherwise never consider. For many, especially those from lower-income backgrounds, the temptation to resort to petty crimes is a result of feeling cornered with no other viable options. The shame of a criminal record can become a lifelong barrier, preventing individuals from finding stable employment, securing housing, or fully reintegrating into society. In this context, removing a criminal record can be a life-changing opportunity for many people looking to rebuild their future and move past their mistakes. It offers a second chance to those who may have been driven to crime by circumstances but are now seeking redemption and a fresh start.
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Crime statistics, like any other officially reported data, cannot be considered reliable. In the past decade, Lahore has been awash with guns. Empirical evidences tell that Kalashnikov and other automatic weapons have become ubiquitous in Lahore, city called cultural capital of Pakistan. This fact makes the crime quick and fast, much faster than law enforcing agencies to track.
Criminality extends into all levels of society and it cannot be restricted to the largely undefined boundaries of Lahore. Given the fast and efficient communication means (roads network, mobile phones, more transport), it has been observed that criminals sometime come from suburbs, make their day and go back uncaught. Those who study crime debate say, “Criminals may be from anywhere but all crime is local, of course, and each city has its underlying causes.”
Analyzing crime is an absorbing exercise. It throws up new facets of crime and new ideas on how to cope with them. The real tragedy, however, is that there is hardly a national debate on crime, like the one seen in the developed world; where the crime are more. “Unless crime hits hard personally, I am not concerned,” is the worst attitude that is exhibited some time.
The only long term solution to put an end to crimes and make our society more civilized is to end hopelessness. How to create hope in the people and tolerance in our society are the real issues that need to be addressed. And this can happen when every one is conscious and does what ever is possible.
The solution is not with police or any other law enforcing agencies. “The problem is much deeper and the solution has to be long term. Combating crime firmly and honestly is one thing. Provision of education, heath and other social securities, fair play in practices and procedure are some other starting points. Collectively, we should act responsibly and are some factors to start if we have to combat crime,” Dr. Pirzada Inam Karim.
When people feel supported and see a pathway to better futures, the cycle of hopelessness that often leads to crime can be broken. However, this requires collective responsibility, with every individual and institution contributing to the vision of a more tolerant and just society.
In tandem with these broader societal efforts, the role of legal representation is vital in ensuring justice and fairness within the system. A professional criminal law firm perth not only provides individuals with the legal support they need but also reinforces the principles of accountability and transparency that are essential to a civilized society. Such firms are instrumental in advocating for fair trials, protecting rights, and ensuring that justice is not merely punitive but also rehabilitative.
By addressing legal disputes with integrity and expertise, they contribute to a system where the rule of law inspires confidence and hope, complementing the broader efforts to reduce crime and build a more equitable society.
A defense lawyer plays a crucial role in safeguarding the rights of individuals, ensuring they receive a fair trial despite any accusations they may face. Their primary responsibility is to represent their clients with diligence, offering a robust defense that challenges any evidence or assumptions that may not align with the truth.
This advocacy is essential in maintaining a justice system that is fair and just for all, not just those who can afford to defend themselves. In this context, the importance of a professionals like those at Sydney law firm, known for its experience in criminal defense, cannot be overstated. They provide vital counsel and a strong defense strategy that prioritizes the fairness of legal proceedings.
Moreover, a defense lawyer’s involvement is not just about winning cases; it’s about ensuring that the accused are treated with dignity and fairness, regardless of the charges they face. Their expertise helps to balance the scales of justice, making sure that the prosecution’s claims are critically examined and that the defendant’s rights are protected throughout the judicial process.
SAJ Shirazi blogs at Light Within. This is based on original, which appeared in The Nation.
In a country where people still are ignorant of their proper use of vote and keep voting for the “best friends” of Thanedars(SHO),Patwaris(junior most revenue official), how crime be controlled ?
Of course, this vote is mostly cast by poor people under threat from candidates who themslves are the top ruffians(in most cases) of the area.
We still live in medievial ages and unfrotunately our destiny is still in the hands of Sultana Dakoos
Talking about crime in Lahore. Just think what Karachi is like where migration from other parts of the country started much much earlier. Nobody thought anything of it then and today when other cities are facing the same situation and its after effects, we seem to take notice. It’s too late now. Come to terms with this and evolve strategies to face this.
//The only long term solution to put an end to crimes and make our society more civilized is to end hopelessness. //
…
vary true …
20-25 saal pehlay bhi kuch zyda kushhali nahi thi Pakistan main, lakin law & order ki situation bohat behtar thi.
only inequality is the basic cause of crime………crimes are necessary for capitalism…
There is a lot of talk of crime in Lahore, but no one i know has been personally afffected (at least in recent times). There is the usual spectacular thing that makes the papers (the religiuos strife, man kills family, etc.), but day to day, the city feels calm and people go about their business as usual with less fear of a purse snatching or car jacking than say, NY or LA.
Any statistics to support the theme of the article.
And, to say, we need to get rid of hopelessness before we address crime is in itself hopeless. I hope we can have a better crime prevention plan that that.