In Karachi, Pakistan’s bustling financial capital, the daily news is often grim. Reports of citizens shot dead while resisting muggings and suspected robbers lynched have become disturbingly common.
Located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, Karachi was referred to as the “City of Lights” in the 1960s and 1970s because of its vibrant nightlife. However, ethnic and political conflict from the 1980s onward earned the city a spot on the list of the most dangerous cities. In 2014, the city ranked as the world’s sixth-most dangerous city for crime.
Over time, the increased police and paramilitary presence and security operations have made the city safer. The Karachi Operation launched in 2013 in response to years of criminal, religious, and political violence drastically improved the law and order situation. Still, crime rates continue to surge in Pakistan’s commercial center.
Karachi ranked poorly on the Global Liveability Index, reflecting the impact of skyrocketing inflation and growing economic difficulties on violent street crimes. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi.
Despite high-level meetings and directives to crack down on street criminals, citizens like Ayesha Mirza, a 24-year-old journalist in Karachi, continue to live in fear. Her experiences with street crime have left a lasting impact on her sense of safety and security.
Shop owners, like Muhammad Hanif and Muhammad Ahmed, also recount their struggles with crime in the city. Measures to improve security have led to changes in their business operations to ensure their safety.
Karachi, with its diverse population and economic significance, requires urgent and sustained actions from the provincial government to address the surge in violent street crimes and ensure the safety of its residents.