The rising incidents of theft, robbery, mugging, and street crime have left citizens and businesspeople feeling deeply insecure, while law enforcement agencies appear to be mere spectators.

A few days ago, on the night of Eid at around 9 PM, near Ayub Gate Chowk in Sukkur, four armed masked robbers snatched a brand new 2025 model CD-70 motorcycle from Ali Raza Solangi, the son of Daily Paak Soch newspaper’s chief editor, Zulfiqar Solangi, at gunpoint. The robbers fled the scene with ease after committing the crime.

In this regard, the victim’s mother, Madam Khursheedah, who is the Lady Councilor of UC-4 and a member of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Sukkur, stated that lawlessness has increased in the city, and the police have failed completely. She said that although the police recovered the stolen motorcycle, they are only giving false assurances.

She added that they had even identified two suspects, and former SHO of B-Section Police Station, Imran Bhayo, arrested two individuals based on that. Despite identifying them in police presence, the SHO only consoled them, saying the motorcycle would be recovered soon. Later, a team from the DIG Sukkur office also visited the police station and took their statements. The former SHO advised them not to lodge an FIR, assuring recovery of the vehicle.

However, the suspects they had identified suddenly disappeared from the police station. When inquired, the new SHO, Mansoor Attar, claimed no knowledge of any such suspects in custody. Madam Khursheedah said she had identified the criminals in the presence of ASI Ehsaan Sheikh and Senior Clerk Khalid Kalhoro, yet the accused were “vanished” from custody. She accused the police of arresting suspects and then secretly releasing them. She has demanded the recovery of the snatched motorcycle.

According to investigations by Daily Paak Soch, incidents of motorcycle theft and robberies have reached record levels in Sukkur.

Here are some recent reported incidents:

• In Shalimar, within the C-Section Police limits, four armed robbers snatched a CD-70 motorcycle from Faizan Mirani.
• In the same C-Section area, a resident of Thul, Sehat Ali, had his CD-70 stolen from outside Civil Hospital.
• In B-Section jurisdiction, Zulfi Kamboh’s motorcycle was stolen from the grain market.
• Another CD-70 belonging to Abdul Ali Qureshi was stolen near the Railway Station in B-Section area.
• In A-Section jurisdiction, a 2023 model 125 motorcycle owned by Kashif Memon was stolen near Makrani Mosque.
• In the same area, two other CD-70 motorcycles were stolen near Benazir Park—one belonging to Ghulam Mustafa Abro (2015 model), the other to Abdul Wahid Soomro (2022 model). FIRs 186/2025 and 187/2025 were registered at A-Section Police Station.
• In SITE Police limits, near Pak Cola Chowk, armed robbers looted a CD-70 (2023 model) and cash from Leelo Mal.
• In Rohri, a CD-70 (2017 model) was stolen from New Navy Park.
• Near the overhead bridge in Patni Police area, armed men snatched a 2021 CD-70 and Rs. 50,000 from Imtiar Ali, even injuring him during resistance.
• In Mubarakpur, five armed robbers snatched Rs. 80,000 from Ehsaan Minyar in Pano Aqil and escaped.
• In Jahangro Police limits, armed men snatched a 2025 model Toyota Corolla car and Rs. 8,000 from Aamir Sarohi at Bugti Hotel and fled.

On the other hand, at 6:30 AM on Saturday, a masked thief skillfully unlocked the shutter of the famous “Zaiqa Biryani” shop located on Sukkur’s busiest commercial road—Bandar Road. He entered the premises, stole over Rs. 900,000 from the cash counter, and locked the shutter again before escaping. The entire incident was captured clearly on CCTV. Shop owner Mazamil provided all evidence to the police, yet no effective action has been taken.

Furthermore, two more motorcycles were recently stolen outside Benazir Park.

• Ghulam Mustafa (son of Sodho Abro) reported his red 2015 CD-70 (registration number SLM-6838) stolen.
• Abdul Wajid (son of Gul Muhammad Soomro) also reported the theft of his red 2022 model motorcycle (registration number SNE-3903).

Both FIRs were registered at A-Section Police Station.

Citizens and traders claim that the Sukkur police are only active on paper, while the ground reality is in utter chaos. Criminals are neither being caught nor are citizens being protected. The CCTV footage of the Zaiqa Biryani shop robbery went viral on social media, triggering widespread public criticism of the police.

The victims are demanding that higher authorities take urgent notice, use CCTV footage to catch the criminals, and recover the stolen property and cash.

Citizens warn that if police continue to remain passive, public trust in institutions will be completely eroded. The fact that such daring crimes are happening openly in a major city like Sukkur, with police remaining silent, is not just alarming—it signals that criminals no longer fear the law.

There is now an urgent need for the police to change their approach, take strong action against crime, and restore public safety—otherwise, the situation could spiral into a much larger crisis.