In Pakistan's Sindh province, a disturbing transformation has turned protectors into predators, as the nation's police force abandons its duty to maintain law and order in favor of unlawful activities and religious persecution. The recent killing of Dr. Shahnawaz Kunbhar, a respected grade-18 doctor at District Hospital Umerkot, has exposed the depths of institutional decay within Pakistan's law enforcement apparatus, revealing a systemic crisis that threatens the very fabric of civil society. The tragic events began on September 17, 2024, when Dr. Kunbhar faced allegations of blasphemy, triggering violent protests in Umerkot. Despite his video statement refuting the charges, the influence of powerful clerics, particularly Pir Umer Jan Sarhandi, set in motion a chain of events that would end in his death. Rather than following due process, the police, succumbing to religious pressure, arrested Dr. Kunbhar in Karachi and executed him in a staged encounter in Sindhri, dropping any pretense of legitimate law enforcement.

What makes this case particularly chilling is the involvement of senior police officials. The subsequent FIR named DIG Javed Jiskani, SSP-Mirpurkhas Asad Chohadhry, and SSP-Umerkot Asif Raza Baloch among the accused, revealing that this wasn't the action of rogue officers but a systematic operation involving the highest echelons of local law enforcement. The inquiry committee's findings paint a damning picture of a force that has completely abandoned its constitutional duties in favor of acting as judge, jury, and executioner. The horror didn't end with Dr. Kunbhar's death. A mob, allegedly incited by clerics Ahmed Shahani and Riaz Panhwar, attacked his funeral procession and set his body ablaze. The police, having already violated their duty to protect his life, failed even to secure his right to a proper burial, symbolizing the complete breakdown of law and order under their watch.

While senior police officials orchestrated this extra-judicial killing, actual crime has skyrocketed across Pakistan's cities. Recent data from the capital reveals a staggering 38% increase in theft incidents within a single week, jumping from 55 to 72 cases. Carjacking saw a 2% rise, with 81 cases reported. The Industrial Area police station alone recorded 14 motorbike thefts, as multiple jurisdictions reported significant spikes in street crimes and robberies. This surge in criminal activity directly correlates with the police force's shift away from its primary responsibilities. The government's response to this crisis has been woefully inadequate. Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar's announcement of suspensions and investigations barely scratches the surface of the systemic issues plaguing law enforcement. His emphasis on "restoring police force's integrity and morale" seems disconnected from reality when the force has demonstrated such a fundamental betrayal of its mandate. The minister's statement that "Police officers are meant to protect the public" rings hollow when contrasted with their actions.

The Kunbhar case highlights a dangerous convergence of religious extremism and law enforcement that threatens Pakistan's stability. When police become instruments of religious persecution, bypassing legal protections and due process, it creates an environment where mere accusations can effectively become death sentences. This erosion of secular law enforcement principles has far-reaching implications for Pakistan's future and its citizens' security. The breakdown of professional standards within the police force has created a climate of fear and uncertainty. Citizens can no longer distinguish between criminals and law enforcement, leading to a complete erosion of public trust. The fact that police officers can fabricate encounters, file false FIRs, and collaborate with extremist elements without immediate consequences speaks to a complete breakdown of accountability mechanisms. This loss of trust has created a vicious cycle where citizens are increasingly reluctant to cooperate with police, further hampering legitimate law enforcement efforts.

The tragedy of Dr. Kunbhar extends beyond his individual case, revealing a broader pattern of institutional failure where the police force has become a tool for enforcing religious extremism rather than upholding the law. The ease with which accusations of blasphemy can lead to extra-judicial killings, with the active participation of law enforcement, suggests a dangerous erosion of the rule of law. This convergence of religious fundamentalism and state power poses an existential threat to Pakistan's aspirations of becoming a modern, democratic state. The path to reform is challenging but essential, requiring not just political will but a fundamental reimagining of how law enforcement operates in Pakistan. Comprehensive reforms must address the influence of religious extremism on police actions, the lack of accountability for extra-judicial killings, and the misallocation of police resources away from actual crime prevention. The current situation, where senior police officials can orchestrate murders with impunity while street crime surges unchecked, is unsustainable and dangerous.

As Pakistan grapples with multiple challenges, from economic instability to political uncertainty, the deterioration of its law enforcement institutions poses a significant threat to social order and citizen security. The police force's transformation from protectors to predators not only undermines public trust but also threatens the very foundations of civil society. The tragedy of Dr. Kunbhar should serve as a wake-up call for both the government and society at large. A police force that abandons its core duties in favor of unlawful activities is not just a law enforcement issue—it's a symptom of a deeper malaise in governance and societal values. Until meaningful reforms are implemented, Pakistan's citizens remain caught in a terrifying limbo, vulnerable to both rising crime rates and a police force that has become a threat rather than a protector.