A recent report by the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) has revealed a concerning rise in criminal activities across Karachi, with 5,960 incidents reported in August alone, as highlighted by PressTonight. The majority of these crimes involved snatching and theft, with 5,951 cases related to the stealing of cell phones, motorbikes, and other vehicles.
The report provides a detailed breakdown, indicating that 150 cars were stolen and 23 others were taken at gunpoint. Additionally, 656 motorcycles were snatched, and 3,385 were reported stolen across the city. Mobile phone snatching was also prevalent, with 1,737 phones forcibly taken from citizens during the month. Moreover, three cases of kidnapping for ransom and six incidents of extortion were documented in August.
This report comes in the wake of earlier findings, which stated that over 44,000 criminal incidents had been reported from Karachi during the first seven months of 2024. During this period, more than 31,000 cases of motorcycle theft and snatching were recorded, alongside over 1,000 instances of car theft and snatching.
In a recent meeting held on September 4 with a four-member delegation from the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) at the Central Police Office, Sindh Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon emphasized that effective and extraordinary measures have led to a significant decrease in street crime and a marked increase in case detection. He assured that the police, with the support of the Sindh government, are committed to rooting out crime in the city. The Sindh government has been proactive in providing resources, budget autonomy for police stations, and health insurance for personnel. Additionally, modern cameras are being installed throughout the city to curb criminal activities.
Earlier this year, when Karachi experienced an alarming surge in street crimes, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon attributed the rise to the presence of “illegal settlers,” stating that they were largely responsible for the increase in crime. He reiterated that the Sindh government is making every possible effort to control street crimes in the metropolis.
