The abduction of over 20 passengers from a bus on a motorway near Sadiqabad has been strongly condemned by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh, who described the late-night attack as a tragic and alarming sign of a complete breakdown in the nation”s law and order.

In a statement today, Sheikh asserted that the incident renders governmental claims of protecting citizens” lives and property meaningless when national motorways are unsafe. He argued that the seizure of numerous individuals indicates criminals have become so emboldened that human lives are being treated as commodities, calling it a “grave humanitarian tragedy.”

The PTI Sindh chief criticised the provincial governments of Punjab and Sindh, along with the federal administration, for their repeated assurances of improved security. He contrasted these claims with what he termed “entirely different” ground realities, noting that the inability to travel safely after sunset is unthinkable in a civilised nation but has unfortunately become a reality in Pakistan.

Focusing on regional security, Sheikh remarked that the law and order situation in Sindh has also deteriorated significantly. He faulted the performance of Sindh Police, Punjab Police, and federal law enforcement agencies for what he described as a severe failure to fulfill their duties. He alleged that the current chaos stems directly from “incompetent governance” by rulers more focused on “clinging to power” than ensuring public safety.

He attributed the current security crisis to hardened criminals who have long challenged the state”s authority. Sheikh alleged that these criminal elements enjoy patronage within the governments of both Sindh and Punjab. The PTI leader pointed to the riverine (katcha) areas as having become effective “no-go zones” devoid of the rule of law.

Concluding his statement, Sheikh condemned the police”s failure and issued a demand for the immediate and safe recovery of all kidnapped passengers. He called for indiscriminate action against the perpetrators, cautioning that any further delay in resolving the crisis would cause a “complete erosion of public trust” in law enforcement agencies.