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Karachi has witnessed a surge in street crime over the past few months. Data presented at a recent high-level security meeting revealed that from 2022 to March 28, 2024, over 250 Karachiites were fatally shot, with 1,052 others sustaining injuries due to street criminals.
According to reports, the incidence of street crimes in Karachi saw an approximately 11.11 percent increase in 2023, with over 90,000 incidents recorded, compared to more than 80,000 cases reported in 2022.
Police sources have reported a significant rise in violent street crimes over the last three years. Responding to the escalating situation, Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi of the Sindh High Court directed law enforcement agencies to crack down on criminals, their accomplices, and facilitators to combat street crime in Karachi and enhance security across the province, particularly in riverine areas.
In-charge of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), Raja Umar Khattab, in an interview with ARY News claimed that online delivery of arms are the main reason behind rising street crime in Karachi. He said that around 70 percent of illegal weapons enter Karachi through online channels. He explained that individuals can place online orders for weapons, which are then delivered within a short span, predominantly from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to Karachi.
Mr. Khattab elaborated that illegal weapons are smuggled into Karachi via passenger buses and courier services, often after a 50 percent advance payment. He emphasized the gravity of the situation in Karachi, stating that even compared to the province’s rural areas, the city faces more significant dangers. Additionally, he alleged that many government employees are involved in the illegal weapons trade.
Furthermore, Mr. Khattab disclosed that besides criminals, students and hobbyists are also engaging in the online purchase of weapons. He asserted that putting an end to illegal weapons trafficking would significantly reduce crime, suggesting either legalizing all illegal weapons or confiscating legal ones.
Expressing concern, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) highlighted the alarming deterioration of law and order in Karachi. They emphasized that retaliatory vigilantism and increased brutality by citizens are not the solutions to the crime wave.
The HRCP criticized the government’s failure to address the escalating crime levels as “shocking,” noting that thousands of street crimes were registered by the police in 2023, resulting in numerous fatalities. They warned that the first quarter of 2024 has followed a similar pattern, indicating an urgent need for effective intervention.
