PEOPLE are enraged over beastly act of rape of a mother on Lahore-Islamabad Motorway and uncalled for remarks of CCPO Umar Shaikh have added fuel to the justified anger. The officer tasked with the investigation of the loathsome incident has started his work by uttering remarks that the ill-fated woman should have taken a different route – a less deserted one – and checked her petrol tank before embarking on her journey.
As media is appreciably highlighting the incident and there is pressure of the public opinion, it is hoped that something concrete would emerge out of investigation process and the culprits would meet their nemesis. The Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights has also taken notice of the incident and summoned IG Police, IG Motorway Police and CCPO Lahore. It is right of the citizens to make choices when and where to travel depending on their own circumstances and this does not absolve the authorities concerned of the responsibility to ensure safe and secure journey of travellers on motorways, highways and roads. It is fundamental responsibility of the Government to protect life and honour of citizens and therefore, lapses in this case must be probed thoroughly and responsible officials held accountable. There are clear indications that the system did not work and neither Motorway Police nor Punjab Police took prompt action on phone calls received from relatives of the victim. This exposes claims and questions justification of maintaining special or traditional forces at the expense of tax-payers that fail to deliver even during emergencies. What is the utility of the network of cameras installed in the name of ‘safe city’ as these have neither discouraged crimes nor facilitated identification of perpetrators of crimes. We hope investigations would be taken to the logical conclusion and culprits meted out exemplary punishment.
