The Islamabad Capital Police have reported a significant 37 per cent reduction in the city’s overall crime rate for 2025, with serious crimes plummeting by 69 per cent compared to the previous year.
According to a police report on Sunday, the Operations Division apprehended 23,683 alleged criminals and recovered stolen assets valued at over two billion rupees.
The decrease in criminal activity is attributed to measures implemented by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, aimed at maintaining law and order and protecting citizens. This performance contributed to a global journal recognising Islamabad as one of the world”s safest cities.
Throughout the year, law enforcement dismantled 578 criminal gangs involved in robberies, thefts, and street crimes, leading to the arrest of 1,308 members. In these operations, authorities confiscated 375 vehicles and 851 motorcycles. A specific crackdown on the land mafia resulted in the detention of 161 individuals linked to 157 cases of illegal land occupation.
An extensive anti-narcotics movement, “Nasha ab Nahi,” saw the arrest of 1,801 suspected drug dealers. Seizures included 317 kg of hashish, 545 kg of heroin, 161 kg of ice, thousands of narcotic pills, and 8,427 bottles of liquor. A targeted effort to protect students from narcotics led to the apprehension of 29 individuals for supplying drugs near educational institutions.
The “Weapon-Free Islamabad Campaign” was launched to curb the prevalence of illegal arms, resulting in 2,308 arrests. The police seized an arsenal including 304 rifles, 92 shotguns, over 2,200 pistols, and 37,491 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, more than 200 people were arrested for aerial firing, while a separate drive against professional begging resulted in the arrest of 3,973 individuals.
The force”s investigative efforts led to the arrest of 187 individuals in connection with murder cases, with subsequent court proceedings resulting in 14 death sentences and 14 life imprisonments. Operations targeting proclaimed offenders and judicial absconders secured the arrest of over 4,000 individuals.
Several high-profile cases were reportedly resolved within 24 hours, including the murders of social media influencer Sana Yousaf and social worker Ishtiaq Ahmed Abbasi, the killing of Faheem Sardar, and the abduction of a three-year-old child from a city mall.
To improve public engagement, the police held 1,270 open courts, benefiting over 100,000 citizens, and a dedicated complaints cell processed more than 8,500 grievances on merit.
Modernisation efforts included the establishment of model police stations under the Special Initiatives Police Stations (SIPS) programme and the deployment of technology such as body-worn cameras and e-police posts. The force”s capacity was also enhanced with 206 new motorcycles for the patrol unit and the creation of Police Response Units.
During the year, four police officers were martyred in the line of duty, and 33 officers were honoured as “Ghazi” for their bravery. The force also provided security for 2,337 protests, religious events, and visits by foreign delegations.