Eid Shopping Turns Into Nightmare: Eid Season Crime Wave Exposes Weak Surveillance and Security Gaps

As Eid approaches, markets across the federal capital are overflowing with families shopping for clothes, shoes, sweets and gifts for their loved ones. But alongside the festive excitement, another disturbing reality is rapidly spreading across Islamabad — organized theft, pickpocketing, bag snatching and robbery gangs operating freely in crowded commercial centers.

What should be days of joy and celebration are instead turning into moments of fear, anxiety and financial loss for ordinary citizens.

Just a few days ago, I personally became a victim of one such highly organized gang operating in the heart of Islamabad. I had stopped briefly at G-9 Markaz to buy samosas and snacks for evening tea. It hardly took ten minutes. My aunt remained seated inside the car while I went to the shop.All is happen in ten minutes.

During those few moments, members of the gang approached the vehicle. One man distracted my aunt by informing her that the rear tyre of the car was punctured, while another quietly opened the opposite door and stole my purse before disappearing into the crowd. By the time we realized what had happened, the criminals had vanished without leaving a trace.

The loss was not minor. I lost nearly five lakh rupees along with important personal belongings.

Sadly, this was not an isolated incident.

Only two days earlier, another woman reportedly lost her handbag in the same area after thieves used the exact same technique. One criminal distracted her by pointing toward a punctured tyre while another gang member silently opened the other door of the car and escaped with her handbag.

These gangs are not ordinary street thieves. They operate with planning, coordination, timing and professional skill. They closely monitor shoppers, particularly women, elderly citizens and people carrying cash or valuables during the Eid shopping rush.

What is even more alarming is the shocking absence of proper surveillance systems in one of Islamabad’s busiest commercial hubs. While trying to trace the culprits, I approached with police nearby traders and shopkeepers requesting CCTV footage. Shockingly, many cameras were either non-functional or completely absent. Even Safe City surveillance cameras were missing from several important points of the market.

G-9 Markaz is considered one of the largest and busiest trading centers in the federal capital. If such an important commercial area lacks active monitoring and surveillance, how can citizens feel safe anywhere else?

This situation raises serious questions about public safety and the performance of relevant institutions. If authorities are unable to monitor theft and pickpocketing incidents in major commercial centers, how will they respond effectively to larger emergencies such as violent crimes, armed robberies or terrorist incidents?

Safe City projects were introduced to strengthen security, monitor criminal activity and assist law enforcement agencies in identifying suspects. However, when cameras remain inactive, poorly monitored or entirely missing, the purpose of such projects loses its value and credibility.

The public pays taxes with the expectation that their money will be used for their protection, welfare and security not wasted on unnecessary publicity campaigns, decorative projects or expensive ceremonies. Protecting citizens is not a favor by any government; it is a constitutional responsibility.

No government should expect applause merely for performing its basic duty toward the people.

Instead of spending millions on image-building exercises and public events, authorities must focus on improving policing, activating surveillance systems, increasing security patrols in markets and dismantling organized theft gangs that are operating openly in the capital.

Today, incidents of theft, bag snatching and gunpoint robberies are increasing at an alarming pace in Islamabad. If this is the condition of the federal capital where the country’s top security institutions are based one can only imagine the situation in other cities and provinces.

The government, security agencies and concerned departments must take immediate notice before these crimes escalate further. Busy markets must be equipped with fully functional CCTV systems, Safe City monitoring must be strengthened, and law enforcement agencies must ensure visible patrolling during Eid shopping days.

Citizens deserve protection, dignity and peace of mind while stepping outside their homes.

As Eid draws near, people should be celebrating with happiness and security — not living in fear of becoming the next victim of organized crime.

May Allah protect everyone from loss, violence and tragedy, and guide the authorities to fulfill their responsibilities with honesty, seriousness and accountability.