A report by the Citizen Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) has unveiled a troubling surge in criminal activity in Karachi during the first seven months of 2024.
According to the report, the city witnessed over 44,000 reported criminal incidents, with motorcycle theft and snatching emerging as the most prevalent offenses.
The CPLC report reveals that more than 31,000 motorcycles were stolen or snatched in this period, while over 1,000 cars were similarly targeted. Additionally, over 11,000 mobile phones were reported stolen. The data indicates that January experienced the highest number of criminal incidents, totaling 7,815, while June saw the lowest at 4,954. There was a noticeable increase in crime rates during January, February, and March, followed by a decline starting in April.
The report also highlights a concerning low recovery rate for stolen items. Out of the 11,000 stolen mobile phones, only 123 were recovered. Likewise, only 1,066 of the 31,000 stolen motorcycles were retrieved. The report further notes 12 cases of kidnapping for ransom and 57 extortion incidents in the same timeframe.
In recent developments, Karachi has been plagued by violent incidents, including shootings, police encounters, and fatal accidents. In Orangi Town, Taj Muhammad Hanfi, a general secretary of a religious group, narrowly escaped an attack when four assailants on two motorcycles fired at his vehicle. Hanfi was unharmed, and the attackers fled the scene near Islam Chowk, where a Shaheed-e-Islam Conference was underway.
Alleged police encounters in Gulbahar Eidgah Ground, Sher Shah Paracha Bridge, and Orangi Town led to the arrest of eight suspects, one of whom was injured. Authorities recovered weapons, motorcycles, and mobile phones from the apprehended individuals.
In separate incidents, Zubair was injured in a shooting near Landi Chhoti Market, and Naseeb Iqbal was hit by a stray bullet near Korangi Bilal Masjid. Additionally, a woman was killed in a traffic accident near Northern Bypass MD Kat, and another individual died due to electrocution at his home near Sarjani Town.
