2010: Karachi's most violent year since 1995

CPLC stats show 1,247 people were killed since the start of the year 2010.

KARACHI: The year 2010 has been one of the most violent years in Karachi's history, as killings in the city have reached their highest since 1995, when 1,742 people were killed.

According to numbers released by the Citizens Police Liason Committee (CPLC), 1,247 people have been killed in the metropolitan hub this year, as compared to 801 last year.

August witnessed the highest death toll of the year with 162 people murdered, while June saw the second highest death toll of 135 people being killed in various localities of the city.

The rise in killings, apart from crime, is also attributed to target killings.

The assassination of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MPA Raza Haider and other political, ethnic and sectarian killings all contributed to the high number of murders in the city this year.

Spates of target killings also affected businesses as commercial areas would shut down because of protests and riots.

Kidnappings are also at their highest since the last 20 years with 104 this year so far.