Kabul residents express concern over rise in crime across the city

A number of Kabul residents have voiced concern over the increase in crime, especially theft, in the city and say if crime is not stopped, the situation will revert to what it was prior to the Islamic Emirate’s takeover.

“Recently, there have been many criminal robberies in the city of Kabul and we are not safe,” said a Kabul resident.

However, the interior ministry officials say crime has dropped significantly compared to previous years and that Kabul Police is trying to stamp it out completely.

The Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qane said that the installation of security cameras has played a significant role in reducing criminal activity.

“In human societies (crimes) have one type of root, it is not possible to reach zero,” Qane said.

He stated that the number of crimes being committed during the former government’s tenure was much higher than it is under Islamic Emirate rule.

“Crimes have completely decreased, of course, some crimes are committed in some places and the police are obliged to prevent them from happening,” he added.

According to many experts, the most important factor in the increase of such crimes is unemployment and the poor economic situation of families, and the government should provide work for people.

“The poverty and unemployment that people are facing make people commit crimes. The only way to reduce criminal offenses is to create jobs and eliminate unemployment,” said Sarwar Niazi, a military analyst.