Editorial: Journalist murder remains clueless

Journalist’s murder remains clueless
PRIME Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that he has ordered investigations into the mysterious killing of a prominent journalist – Muhammad Ismail of PPI News agency. Similarly, Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao, who is in London, has also issued instructions to the Capital Police to resolve the case at the earliest and punish the culprits. The claims and assurances of the leadership notwithstanding, it is a fact that the police remain clueless about the murder even after two days of the gory incident. Murder of Ismail has terrified people especially the journalistic community because the incident shows the level to which the law and order situation has deteriorated in the twin cities. Leave aside Pindi, which is more populous and where local police is more lethargic, headless bodies and gruesome murders have become order of the day even in Islamabad. This is despite the fact that the Capital Police is considered to be educated, professional and well-equipped. All this is happening because police pickets and mobile vans are more interested in harassing innocent people with a view to minting money than nabbing the law-breakers and criminals. We have been hearing since long about this or that plan to restructure and reform the Police and to make it people-friendly. However, all these have so far proved to be hollow slogans and the police force remains as dreaded for the common man as before while crimes are on the rise. Hardly a day passes when there is no theft or dacoity in one or the other sector of the Capital and the ratio of resolving these cases is very low. There are also reports that spoiled youth belonging to some influential families and people are involved in criminal activities and police is shy of taking any action against them even when they are caught red-handed. If we cannot check crime in a comparatively smaller and calm city like Islamabad then how one can expect safety of life and property in cities like Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi. Authorities concerned should take steps to make Islamabad a model city vis-à-vis the law and order situation. At the same time, investigations into Ismail murder case should be expedited and culprits brought to book to restore the shaken confidence of the people.