Lawlessness rising in Lahore

The article in The News gives the stat that street crime this week was 50% higher than the previous one.  What's particularly perturbing is that the police, commonly known to collude with criminals, have no qualms engaging in crime these days.  The ease with which the police contribute to crime is remarkable.  However, I wonder if political instability is an invitation for criminals (and eager policemen) to do their rounds with ease.  

However, there is another side to this.  

Yesterday a distant uncle was driving with his wife and daughter to the motorway via the Canal Road.  As they entered the Canal Road off of Ferozpur Road, a few men in a car started driving parellel to them and took out their hand guns indicating uncle to pull over.  A tractor-trolley was plying the road in front which uncle used to maneavre himself out of the threat and speed away.  The robbers were left stranded in the rear.  Apparently.  

Some miles down on Canal Road, uncle came across three policemen in their patrol car.  He informed them of the robbers who were just left behind.  While Uncle is explaining to the police, the robbers arrive again and first pull out their guns at the police who promptly run away.  I do not know if the police who ran off were armed or not.  However, the robbers then turn to their road victims and take away the mobile phones and cash before driving off into the sunset.  

Comparing the two stories, I am not sure if we would be safer if the police or not.  If arming the police is equivalent of giving them a license to rob, it is a rather self-defeating exercise.