(By Zafar Chishti)
FAISALABAD: Fulfilling the directives of Inspector General of Police Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar, a comprehensive crackdown on criminal elements continues across the province. In the Faisalabad Region, significant progress has been achieved under the supervision of Regional Police Officer Zeeshan Asghar during the year 2025, resulting in a marked decline in heinous crimes and the dismantling of several criminal networks.According to official data, 357 hardcore gangs were busted across the region, leading to the arrest of 929 accused persons. Police successfully resolved 3,365 criminal cases, recovering a large quantity of stolen property including 93 vehicles, 1,740 motorcycles, 180 tolas of gold ornaments, 500 mobile phones, 519 livestock animals and cash worth Rs. 3.2 billion.In the ongoing robust campaign against narcotics, police registered 5,897 cases, arresting 6,110 suspects. Seizures included 3,000 kilograms of charas, 105 kilograms of ice, 90,827 litres of liquor, 282 kilograms of opium and 522 kilograms of heroin.
Moreover, efforts against the possession of illegal weapons also intensified. Police recovered 4,140 pistols, 27 revolvers, 325 guns, 118 Kalashnikovs, 309 rifles and 16,835 rounds of ammunition during targeted operations.In enforcement of the Kite Flying Act, 364 cases were registered, resulting in the arrest of 367 violators and the recovery of 39,391 kites and 1,465 string rolls (charkhis).
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies also focused on apprehending proclaimed offenders. The police successfully arrested 3,004 Category A and 7,133 Category B proclaimed offenders, in addition to 520 Category A and 5,827 Category B court absconders.A year-on-year comparison revealed a 31% reduction in heinous crimes across the Faisalabad Region compared to 2024. The statistics indicate a 24% decrease in murder cases, 71% in dacoities, 38% in robberies, 27% in motorcycle thefts and 38% in motorcycle snatching incidents that is a major achievement attributed to timely police action, effective strategy and strong community cooperation.RPO Zeeshan Asghar directed all district police officers to adopt result-oriented and practical strategies to curb street crimes, particularly dacoity, robbery and house burglary. He emphasized enhanced patrolling efficiency, the arrest of proclaimed offenders and continuous interrogation of known criminals to sustain the downward trend in crime rates.
He further instructed officers to identify and monitor crime hotspots, intensify operations against criminal gangs, and ensure the arrest and prosecution of all involved. The RPO also reiterated that crackdowns on drug traffickers, gambling dens and brothel houses must continue without interruption, while arrests of accused persons in heinous cases should be ensured at all costs.“These achievements reflect the commitment and professionalism of Faisalabad police in maintaining peace and security. Our collective aim is to make the region safer for its citizens,” RPO Zeeshan Asghar added.
