Karachi Faces Surge in Street Crimes

Karachi has seen a significant rise in street crimes, with 5,960 incidents reported in August alone. According to the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), 23 cars were stolen at gunpoint, and a total of 150 vehicles were reported stolen in August. Motorcycles are a common target, with 656 stolen and 3,385 taken from various parts of the city this year. Additionally, 1,737 mobile phones were snatched, and there were reports of 3 kidnapping-for-ransom incidents and 6 extortion cases.

Earlier, Karachi police reported a dramatic increase in street crimes, with more than 44,000 incidents recorded in the first seven months of 2024. The majority of these crimes involved motorcycle theft, with 31,000 motorcycles reported stolen. Over 11,800 mobile phones were stolen, and approximately 1,200 cars were taken from citizens. This surge in crime has heightened insecurity among residents, with a notably low recovery rate for stolen items.

Reports also indicate an increase in street robberies and muggings, particularly in densely populated areas and commercial districts. On April 2, it was reported that Karachi faces a severe problem of increasing street crime, contributing to a growing sense of lawlessness among the city’s residents. Incidents of street crime are frequently captured on CCTV and often go viral. The rise in street crime has also led to fatalities, with 23 individuals losing their lives in robbery-related incidents during January and February of this year alone.