MQM-P seeks Centre’s intervention amid rising street crimes in Karachi

PPP opposes MQM-P’s demand; Nasir Hussain Shah claims govt employing ‘best practices’ to address issue

KARACHI:

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Monday sought the Centre’s intervention to address the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi — a demand vehemently opposed by the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Addressing a press conference, former senator and senior MQM-P leader Nasreen Jalil expressed deep concerns over the prevailing sense of fear gripping the city. "We are tired of attending the funerals of our loved ones," she lamented.

MPA Ali Khursheedi lamented that some ministers seemed to be content with the current law and order situation in the city, urging the government officials to at least empathise with the bereaved families.

Read: Street crimes in Karachi

"We will persistently raise this issue in both the national and provincial assemblies," Khursheedi asserted, warning of potential street agitation if the government fails to act promptly.

Reacting to the demands, senior PPP leader Nasir Hussain Shah urged MQM-P to refrain from actions that could tarnish its own image. He noted that MQM-P is the first party to oppose any operation initiated in Karachi.

Shah highlighted the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies, including targeted operations against street criminals.

Read: Street-crime upsurge: MQM-P urges action on Karachi security

"Police and Rangers are continuously conducting targeted operations against street criminals in Karachi. MQM has emphasized that speakers of a particular language are involved in these criminal activities. However, criminals are simply criminals; they have no affiliation with any religion or ethnicity. The government is employing best practices to address the issue of street crime," Shah stated.

In recent months, the country's most populous city has witnessed an upsurge in street crime, which has prompted concerns over public safety and the apparent lack of law enforcement measures.

Incidents of street crime have become rampant across the city, and their CCTV footage has become viral on social media platforms, day in and day out.

Furthermore, as per data compiled by the Citizen Police Liaison Committee, an organisation that collects crime data in Karachi, during January and February: a total of 106 fatalities occurred in the city, 11 cases of kidnapping for ransom were reported, a staggering 10,488 motorcycles and 441 cars were stolen, and approximately 4,000 incidents of mobile phone snatching were reported.