CPLC findings paint grim picture of city's law & order situation

Data reveals alarming rise in street crimes, with 16,000+ motorcycles, 737 vehicles lost in 5 months

KARACHI:

Street crime, vehicle theft, and violent incidents continue unabated in the volatile metropolitan city, with alarming figures reported for the first five months of the current year, according to data released by the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC).

The statistics show that during this period, Karachiites were deprived of 737 vehicles worth millions of rupees, while 16,031 motorcycles were either snatched or stolen across the metropolis.

Street criminals also remained active, snatching a total of 7,427 mobile phones from people in various incidents reported during the first five months of the year.

The data further reveals a disturbing trend in violent crime, with 232 people losing their lives in incidents of murder and targeted violence during the same period. Moreover, the CPLC recorded 71 cases of extortion and three cases of kidnapping for ransom.

The CPLC has also released detailed figures for the month of May alone, showing that 20 vehicles were snatched and 106 stolen, while 445 motorcycles were snatched and 2,240 stolen during the month.

Mobile phone snatching remained widespread in May, with muggers taking away 1,860 mobile phones from Karachiites. The month also saw 56 killings, alongside 10 reported cases of extortion and one bank robbery. However, no cases of kidnapping for ransom were reported during May.

Overall data for the five-month period indicates that out of the 737 vehicles lost, 99 were snatched while 638 were stolen. Similarly, of the 16,031 motorcycles, 2,223 were snatched and 13,808 stolen, reflecting the scale of two-wheeler theft in the city.

Officials and observers continue to express concern over the persistence of street crime, particularly mobile phone snatching and motorcycle theft, which remain the most frequently reported offences affecting ordinary citizens.

The rising crime figures belie police claims that the law and order situation is improving while underscoring ongoing challenges for law enforcers in curbing street crime and ensuring public safety in the metropolis.