Disassembly ‘katcha’ | The Express Stand

Pakistan has been engaged in a cat-and-mouse game with criminal dens for years, especially in the notorious katcha regions in Sindh. Over the years, these areas have become breeding grounds for criminal activities due to neglect by authorities, lack of economic opportunities and exploitation by criminal elements. Despite countless crackdowns, these dens have remained stubbornly resilient. Previous efforts have produced limited results and have failed to effectively dismantle deep-rooted criminal networks.

The Sindh and Punjab police will once again launch a joint operation against the notorious bandits of the katcha areas in Sindh. The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Action Plan Implementation Review Committee, which was held at the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) headquarters in Islamabad on Friday. The continued existence of criminal dens undermines public confidence in the authorities’ ability to maintain law and order. Many people feel disillusioned and powerless in the face of rampant crime and impunity. They demand action and tangible results to restore safety in their neighborhoods. It is high time for a unified approach that leverages the collective power of provincial law enforcement agencies to depose these criminal elements for good. Furthermore, a coordinated operation demonstrates a commitment to accountability and transparency in addressing security challenges. Holding perpetrators accountable and dismantling the criminal infrastructure can restore public confidence in the justice system.

But before launching the operation, authorities should focus on stepping up intelligence gathering efforts. This involves gathering detailed information about the individuals, groups and networks involved to better understand the tactics and locations. Such information is crucial for efficiency and effectiveness. The government cannot afford to allocate additional resources to this issue. Therefore, this operation should put an end to this ongoing battle once and for all.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 22^NL2024.

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