Stolen vehicles threaten law and order

Karachi's streets are increasingly becoming a haven for stolen vehicles and those running with fake number plates, posing serious risks to both citizens and the city's law and order. From middle-class residents losing their cars to criminals using untraceable vehicles for theft, kidnapping, and violent crimes, the problem has grown into a widespread public safety concern.

A few days before the recent Eid, Ali Hassan, a resident of Gizri, had his Mehran car stolen from outside his flat. For this middle-class citizen, the theft was not only a significant financial loss but also a major worry that the vehicle could be used in criminal activities. His first priority was to immediately inform the police so that the incident would be officially recorded.

Stolen vehicles or those with fake number plates in Karachi are not only a source of concern for citizens but also pose a serious threat to the city's law and order. According to official data, thousands of such vehicles exist, including both cars and motorcycles. Many of these were recently identified through the Traffic Regulation and Citation System implemented by the Sindh Police. About 1,600 vehicles were found operating with fake number plates, while nearly 200 stolen vehicles were identified running without plates.

These vehicles were only detected in areas where monitoring cameras under this system are installed, highlighting that the actual number of such vehicles across the city could be much higher. According to the Citizens Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), over 3,000 motorcycles and 138 cars were reported stolen in various areas of the city in January 2026. In February, 2,726 motorcycles and 143 cars were reported stolen.

While the Sindh Police's Anti-Vehicle Lifting Cell (AVLC) works to recover stolen or snatched vehicles, the number of recoveries remains low. According to AVLC spokesperson Umair Tanoli, in January 2026, the cell recovered 82 cars and 164 motorcycles, while in February, 83 cars and 226 motorcycles were recovered. Experts note a direct link between stolen or fake-plated vehicles and crime, as criminals often use these vehicles in illegal activities. CPLC data indicates that in 2025 alone, over 17,000 mobile phone snatching incidents were reported in the city, along with 21 cases of kidnapping for ransom and 100 cases of extortion.

Such vehicles can pose an immediate threat to public safety. Social development specialist, Gul Muhammad Rais told the Express Tribune that these vehicles could be used in street crimes, robberies, target killings, and kidnappings, as they are extremely difficult to trace. "In Karachi, which has experienced periods of unrest in the past, these vehicles could also be exploited for terrorism and organized crime, highlighting the need for strong preventive measures," noted Rais.

Additionally, such vehicles hinder the traffic system because vehicles without proper number plates cannot be fined. DIG Traffic Karachi, Syed Pir Muhammad Shah, stated that the Traffic Police will soon launch a campaign against these vehicles and that a crackdown will begin within a week.