THE DARK SIDE OF SOCIETY:CRIME FICTION AS A MIRROR OF PAKISTANI REALITIES AND FORENSIC LINGUISTIC INSIGHT

Abstract

The Inspector Jamshed series, written by Ishtiaq Ahmad, is one of Pakistan’s most influential works of crime fiction, offering rich insights into crime, law enforcement, and societal structures. This paper examines the series through the lens of Routine Activities Theory, a criminological framework that suggests crime occurs when three key elements converge: a motivated offender, a suitable target, and a lack of capable guardianship. The study explores how elite criminals, such as politicians and business magnates, exploit vulnerable targets within a society characterized by corruption, political instability, and weak law enforcement. Additionally, the paper integrates forensic linguistic analysis to examine the dialogue and narrative techniques used in the series. By investigating how criminals rationalize deviant behavior through language and analyzing Inspector Jamshed’s moral struggles, the study reveals how language shapes power dynamics and ethical decision-making. The paper argues that the Inspector Jamshed series functions as both a form of entertainment and a social critique, shedding light on the flaws of Pakistan's criminal justice system. By combining criminological theory and forensic linguistics, this research offers a nuanced understanding of crime, justice, and morality in the context of a politically unstable society. Ultimately, the paper highlights the broader relevance of crime fiction as a tool for understanding social and legal issues, and how it reflects the tension between formal justice systems and the informal moral codes that govern society.