In yet another shocking incident highlighting the lawlessness in Pakistan’s tribal regions, a poor driver from Khyber district has been kidnapped by dacoits operating in the Kacha area. The criminals have demanded a ransom, leaving the victim’s impoverished family with no hope for protection from the occupied-authority. The family, desperate to secure the driver’s release, has set up makeshift camps, pleading for help.
This incident is just one of many in a region where the rule of law has eroded to the point of collapse. For years, residents have been raising alarms about the unchecked activities of these dacoits, who terrorize the population with impunity. These criminal gangs operate under the protection of local warlord and are shielded by their deep political connections, allowing them to act without fear of repercussions.
What is most disturbing is the complicity of Pakistan’s establishment and law enforcement agencies. Instead of dismantling the criminal networks, the police and military seem more interested in preserving the status quo, often providing a protective shield for these powerful warlords. This leaves ordinary citizens, especially vulnerable communities like the Pashtuns, at the mercy of these criminals, who kidnap and extort with little to no intervention from the authorities.