Karachi saw over 72,000 street crime incidents in 2024

KARACHI: No year passes peacefully in Karachi, where the residents might get a chance to breathe a sigh of relief or feel that their lives and properties are safe.

Like every year, 2024 also saw numerous incidents and tragedies, claiming the lives and properties of 1,503 people, including women, children and law-enforcement officials.

Despite the police adopting the “half-fry” formula (arrest and shoot), robbers continued their activities undeterred, killing 106 people, including an army officer, a retired commando, police officials, engineers, security guards and women. Around 300 others were also wounded by the robbers’ firing.

The city police claimed a 21 per cent reduction in crimes in 2024 compared to the previous year, stressing that the rate of solving crimes has reached levels comparable to those in major countries around the world.

Street crime, however, continues to be a persistent issue, with rampant thefts, robberies and other crimes. Despite the police’s positive reports on reducing and solving crimes, street crime seems to be an ongoing challenge.

This state of affairs has been affecting the daily lives of Karachi’s residents, highlighting the disparity between the police’s claimed achievements and the reality on ground.

Ruthless street criminals robbed the city’s residents of billions of rupees in cash and valuables in 2024, and they did not hesitate to kill and injure people even over the slightest hint of resistance.

Street crime

The Citizens-Police Liaison Committee’s (CPLC) statistics for January to November 2024 show that 66,530 street crime incidents were reported in Karachi. They include the theft and snatching of 1,913 cars: an average of 174 a month and six a day.

In the same period 46,404 motorbikes were stolen and snatched: an average of 4,219 a month and 139 a day; and 18,213 phones were also snatched: an average of 1,683 a month and 55 a day.

Considering the total number of street crime incidents (66,530), an average of 6,048 crimes were committed a month and 199 a day. Based on these figures, the total number of street crime incidents in Karachi in 2024 is likely to be 72,578.

In January 7,802 incidents were reported, with 180 cars stolen and snatched, 5,317 motorbikes stolen and snatched, and 2,305 phones snatched. In February 7,297 incidents were reported, with 171 cars stolen and snatched, 5,137 motorbikes stolen and snatched, and 1,989 phones snatched.

In March 7,485 incidents were reported, with 163 cars stolen and snatched, 5,514 motorbikes stolen and snatched, and 1,808 phones snatched. In April 5,714 incidents were reported, with 162 cars stolen and snatched, 4,184 motorbikes stolen and snatched, and 1,368 phones snatched.

In May 5,398 incidents were reported, with 164 cars stolen and snatched, 3,814 motorbikes stolen and snatched, and 1,420 phones snatched. In June 4,948 incidents were reported, with 159 cars stolen and snatched, 3,356 motorbikes stolen and snatched, and 1,433 phones snatched.

In July 5,359 incidents were reported, with 183 cars stolen and snatched, 3,686 motorbikes stolen and snatched, and 1,490 phones snatched. In August 5,951 incidents were reported, with 173 cars stolen and snatched, 4,041 motorbikes stolen and snatched, and 1,737 phones snatched.

In September 5,823 incidents were reported, with 190 cars stolen and snatched, 3,982 motorbikes stolen and snatched, and 1,651 phones snatched. In October 5,676 incidents were reported, with 193 cars stolen and snatched, 3,907 motorbikes stolen and snatched, and 1,576 phones snatched.

In November 5,077 incidents were reported, with 175 cars stolen and snatched, 3,466 motorbikes stolen and snatched, and 1,436 phones snatched. Though the CPLC is yet to issue December’s statistics, according to the figures of the past 11 months, over 6,000 crimes have been committed a month on an average.

Meanwhile, frustrated by the increasing street crime incidents, some Karachi residents took matters into their own hands and confronted street criminals, killing 21 robbers and injuring around 65.

Terrorism

Karachi also witnessed several major terrorism cases, including three significant attacks on foreigners. The masterminds in all three cases are yet to be caught, although the police claimed to have arrested some facilitators.

The most significant attack was carried out on October 6, when an explosive-laden vehicle targeted a Chinese convoy near the Jinnah International Airport, killing two Chinese nationals and one other person, while over a dozen others were injured.

This attack marked the second major assault on foreigners within six months, following the April 19 suicide attack on a convoy of Japanese nationals in Landhi’s Mansehra Colony. Two Chinese nationals were also injured on November 5, when a private security guard opened fire at a garment factory.

In recent years, especially after operations like Zarb-e-Azb, Raddul Fasaad, and the Karachi operation targeting Taliban and other militant outfits, the city has seen a rise in nationalist sentiment, particularly in groups in Sindh and Balochistan.

Groups such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army have been active, collaborating with various separatist groups under the Baloch Raji Aajoi Sangar umbrella organisation. The BLA’s involvement has been highlighted in all three terrorism cases involving foreigners.

There have also been some sectarian attacks involving groups like the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and the Zainebiyoun Brigade. Among these incidents the target killing of Counter Terrorism Department DSP Ali Raza was notable. Militants from both these sectarian organisations were either killed in encounters with law enforcement agencies or arrested.

Other incidents

Seven hundred and seventy-three people were also killed in road traffic accidents in 2024, including 602 men, 88 women, 62 boys and 21 girls, with 8,111 people being injured.

Gas cylinder explosions claimed eight lives and left 43 injured, 70 people died after falling off roofs, nine died in roof collapses and train collisions caused 45 deaths.

Suicide claimed 100 lives, including 64 men and 36 women, while 351 men and 12 women died due to drug overdose, with most bodies found abandoned. Moreover, 29 bodies of newborns were found, with no suspects arrested in these cases.