Street Crime in Sindh 2004-2014|1

2004
5 Years Comparison of
Snatched/Stolen and
Recovered Vehicles in
Karachi, Sindh
Years

Snatch
ed

Stolen

2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009

1825
1244
1248
1358
1429
1311

1888
2110
3705
3327
4251
3285

Years

Snatch
ed

2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009

3041
2088
2682
3505
4397
3209

4-Wheelers
Total Lifted
Total
per
Recover
Day
y
3713
10.17
2059
3354
9.19
1324
4953
13.57
2308
4685
12.84
2206
5680
15.56
2747
4596
12.59
2280

2-Wheelers
Stolen Total Lifted
Total
per
Recover
Day
y
3723
6764
18.53
2295
2952
5040
13.81
1299
4102
6784
18.59
2012
6330
9835
26.95
2748
10552 14949 40.96
3403
10651 13860 37.97
3061

http://www.sindhpolice.gov.pk/quickmenus/aclc.asp

Percentag
e
55.45%
39.48%
46.60%
47.09%
48.36%
49.61%
Percentag
e
33.93%
25.77%
29.66%
27.94%
22.76%
22.09%

Street Crime in Sindh 2004-2014|2

2005-2006
Crime rate of Sindh in
2005-2006
Overall crime rate in Sindh rose by 20.7 per cent as 57,429
cases were recorded in 2006 against 47,575 during the
previous year, a report sent to the presidents office said.
The statistics shows that in the province, crime against person went up
by 10.57 per cent while property crime increased by 18.90 per cent.
The highest rate of suicide was marked in the Sindh province,
increasing from 135 to 145 with 7.40 per cent hike. While lives of 55
people were saved.

Sindh Police Inspector-General Jahangir Mirza, believes that

strengthening of the police will make the difference. He said the prime
minister has approved the reinforcement plan, sanctioning new
employment of 5,000 policemen for the Sindh police.

Street Crime in Sindh 2004-2014|3

Street rampage rose by 18.90 per cent, increasing from 14,067 to

16,727 offences as 6,400 vehicles were lifted with the rising ratio of
20.98 per cent, comparing 5,290 in 2005. While strong-arm robbery
went up by 21.22 per cent as 4,627 in 2006 and 3,817 in 2005. As
many as 13,710 offences against person were registered in 2006 while
12,399 in the previous year 1,985 people were murdered as
compared to 1,850 in 2005.

Rape cases were indicated as declining slightly from 251 to 250 (-0.39
per cent), while trend of kidnapping offences was seen somewhat
upward by 2.0 per cent from 1,348 to 1,375. Fatal accidents were
declined by 18.18 per cent from 1100 to 900.

Cases registered under local and special laws were amplified from
11,034 to 13,540 with 22.71 per cent raise.

Mirza told The News that he would produce upshots by putting a new
strategy into practice during this year. He said the government wants
to control crimes, especially, the street crime. The IGP said that Prime
Minister Shaukat Aziz has sanctioned special grants to equip the police
with latest weapons and technology to combat the criminals. We are
making the police operative by enhancing the effective mobility, the
IGP said, adding, We are ensuring the presence of the police at every
sensitive and busy point.

Bike-riding armed police are patrolling round the clock to combat the
street crime, Jahangir Mirza said. One among the two bike-riding
patrolling official is sharp shooter to target the escaping criminals
avoiding any damage to passer-by. The additional strength of 5,000
personnel will, definitely, make the difference, the IGP said.

We are concentrating on combating the street crime, specially mobile

snatching, the provincial police chief said, adding a special unit, under

Street Crime in Sindh 2004-2014|4

the supervision of a deputy inspector general of police (DIG) has

constituted to control the mobile snatching offences.

The unit would also educate and encourage the public for immediate
contact with the police for the abrupt response from the police, the IGP
said. Mirza said the second prime priority of the Sindh police was to
control the auto thefts. The Anti-Car lifting Cell (ACLC) is fully
activated with carte blanche authority for fighting against the
criminals, involved in such offences, he maintained. I have entrusted
the chock-full authority to make strategy for hunting the car-jacking
offenders.

It will, certainly, base on intelligence collaboration for targeting the

gangsters, and we will able to breakthrough the networking on the
information of the individuals, involved in this business, the provincial
police chief said.

http://archive.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?
ID=6083&Cat=13&dt=2/26/2007

Street Crime in 2006:

The year 2006 witnessed an unprecedented 60 per cent rise in
the incidents of cellphone snatching/theft compared with the preceding
year, DAWN reports.

Street Crime in Sindh 2004-2014|5

An analysis of the official data compiled by the Citizens-Police Liaison

Committee (CPLC) and obtained by Dawn reveals that on an average
124 mobile phones are snatched/stolen every day. In the preceding
year, the figure had stood at 76.
The statistics recorded last year show that a total of 27,764 cellphones
had been taken away by bandits or thieves whereas in the period
January 1-December 22, 2006, the figure has already reached at
44,388.
A town-wise break-up of the current years statistics places Gulshan on
top of the 18 towns of Karachi district as 2,811 cellphones have so far
been stolen or snatched at gunpoint in this town alone. Saddar,
Jamshed, North Nazimabad, Gulberg, New Karachi and Clifton towns
follow suit in the list.
In the previous year, cellphone theft or robbery figure in Gulshan had
stood at 2,119, followed by Saddar, Clifton, Jamshed, New Karachi,
Liaquatabad and Gulberg towns. Under the head of cellphone theft, the
data shows Saddar Town on top of the list with 4,163 sets reported
stolen during the same period of 2006, followed by Gulshan, Clifton,
Jamshed, Landhi, Liaquatabad and Shah Faisal towns. Under the same
head in the figures pertaining to 2005, the town on top of the list was
Gulshan with 2,675 being the number of stolen cellphones. It was
followed by Saddar, Clifton, Jamshed, New Karachi, Liaquatabad and
Gulberg towns.
It may be pertinent to mention here that despite carrying all the
intricacies, the official statistics do not show the number of cellphoneholders having been killed while offering resistance to the phone
snatchers.
The growing trend of cellphone snatching and theft in Karachi reflects
the failure of the police in containing the crime as in spite of the IMEI
mechanism having been activated to get the handsets jammed by the
concerned cellular companies, there has been a little or no
improvement in the overall situation.
More painful is the fact that these statistics are based only on the
cases reported to police but the quantum of unreported incidents is
anybodys guess.

Street Crime in Sindh 2004-2014|6

With this alarming growth in crime rate, Karachities wonder what the
law enforcement agencies are doing to curb crime and who is there to
take the full blame of failure? A poll on Chowrangi showed people hold
government and administration (police, city, provincial and federal
government) responsible for the crime situation in the metropolis.
http://www.chowrangi.pk/karachi-street-crime-in-2006.html

Karachi has the world's

highest street crime
rate(2006)
KARACHI: Karachi has the highest rate of street crime in the
whole world-citizens are deprived millions of rupees and valuables by
criminals in around 1,500 incidents daily, stated Leader of the
Opposition in the Sindh Assembly and Pakistan Peoples Party leader,
Nisar Ahmed Khuhro.
Khuhro said in a press statement Friday that "the military regime
and its puppets in Sindh" might disagree with his survey. He added that
most of the victims of street crimes avoided going to the police,
because of the apathy of the law-enforcement authorities. Moreover,
people who had tried to lodge complaints were turned away without
the registration of FIRs.
Khuhro said that it seemed as if the PML-Q had been compelled
by its allied ethnic party in Sindh to ignore all rules in a bid to save its
government. "Police stations in Karachi have been turned into offices of
the ethnic party where SHOs are appointed on the basis of their loyalty

Street Crime in Sindh 2004-2014|7

to the party, and the chief minister is playing a role of a 'silent criminal'
in this precarious law and order situation. Ghulam Arbab Rahim has
been stopped from interfering in home affairs and has turned into a
yes-man in order to save his post," Khuhro claimed.
He alleged that the federal and provincial governments were
presenting fake crime statistics. "According to official reports, 40 to 50
mobile phones are stolen and snatched daily in Karachi, while the
actual figure is somewhere around 500 to 600. Another survey says
that some 60,000 mobile sets were stolen or snatched in Karachi
during the last six months alone," Khuhro said.
He claimed that professional, experienced and honest police
officials had been dumped into side posts while criminals had been
posted in police stations on the basis of political loyalties.
Khuhro reported almost 100 incidents of purse snatchings in
bazaars and markets, and said that they were deprived of hundreds of
thousands of rupees daily. Likewise, Khuhro said, 30 to 40 cars and two
dozen motorcycles are snatched daily at gunpoint, while the authorities
failed to explain where these vehicles were dumped.

http://archives.dailytimes.com.pk/karachi/14-Oct-2006/karachi-has-theworld-s-highest-street-crime-rate-khuhro

Street Crime in Sindh 2004-2014|8

Street Crime in Sindh 2004-2014|9

2007
Karachi street crime up by 15
percant(2007):
KARACHI: Despite the bold claim of Sindh Home Minister Dr
Zulfiqar Mirza of eliminating street crime within a month, no progress
has been witnessed yet and citizens are still getting their cars,
motorcycles, mobile phones and other valuables stolen daily.
Meanwhile, it seems as if law enforcement agencies have been silent
spectators to the continuing street criminality.
In the last five months, from January to May 31, a total of 49,606
people reported mobile phones or vehicles theft. This figure, when
compared to the figure from last year, 42,883, from the same period,
shows that a total of 6,723 more robberies have taken place.
Sindh Police Inspector General Dr Shoaib Suddle, has claimed a
35 percent decrease in street crime incidents while the Citizen Police
Liaisons Committee (CPLC) data suggests otherwise. According to the
stats, there has been an alarming increase in victims of mobile
snatching in the first five months of 2008, which come to 41,069
compared to 37,695 last year. This means that there were a total of
3,374 more incidents of mobile phone snatching this year.
Similarly, in the first five months of 2007, 1,969 cars were
snatched, while in 2008 this figure has increased to 2,581. A total of
612 more cars have been stolen this year compared to the same
period last year.
The figures for motorcycles snatched are the same as cars. In the
first five month of 2007, a total of 3,219 motorcycles were snatched,

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 10

while in 2008 this figure has been much higher, at 5956, an increase of
2,737.
The Anti Car Lifting Unit (ACLU) chief, SSP Khurram Waris, while
talking to Daily Times, said there are around eight to ten groups behind
the snatching and stealing of vehicles. They have four more groups
within these eight to ten groups, the snatchers, the carriers, the
purchasers and lastly, the new users. He also said that now days the
aim behind snatching or stealing vehicles is to steal the CNG kits, tyres
and other equipment from the car.
SSP Waris was of the opinion that there is not much difference
between the vehicle lifting rate this year and last year, if anything it
should be lower this year. "However," he added, "the problem is that
the CPLC does not cooperate with the AVCU or the victims. They do not
delete the entry of stolen or snatched vehicles after it is recovered."
On the other hand, the CPLC Chief, Ahmed Choinoy, while talking
to Daily Times, denied Waris's claims and said that the CPLC cannot
delete the entry until their criterias have been met. "If we started
deleting the entries on the basis of phone calls, the real figure will be
greatly distorted. We do not delete entries of snatching or stealing until
the victim shows us the FIR and other required documents," he said.
Choinoy added that, every year, the snatching and stealing of vehicles
and mobile phones has increased. A struggling economy, rising prices
and unemployment are the basic reasons behind this, he said.

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 11

2008
Street crime fell by 40 per
cent in 2008, claims PPO:

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 12

There has been 40 per cent decrease in overall street crime in Karachi;
cell phone snatching has been reduced by 52 per cent and vehicle
snatching has reported a significant decease of 50 per cent, Provincial
Police Officer (PPO) Sindh, Sultan Salahuddin Babar Khattak, said
during a press briefing on Tuesday.

He further said that the crime graph in Sindh has dropped by 40 per
cent despite several bank robberies, cellphone snatchings; no major
case of robbery at banks or money-changers were reported this year.

Khattak said that the law and order situation in the province remained
stable because no major incidents of terrorist activity, suicide bombing,
or attacks on foreigners were reported during the year 2008. Although
the crime situation in the province in the first half of 2008 was not
steady but due to effective counter-measures the situation improved
significantly during the second half of 2008, he said. A considerable
decrease was registered in the number of cases of kidnapping for
ransom, house robberies, highway robberies, bank robberies, vehicle
snatching and street crime (including mobile snatching).

During 2008, the Sindh Police busted four terrorist groups which had
planned to carry out suicide bombing in Karachi. Consequently, six
terrorists belonging to jihadi organisations were killed and 37 terrorists
were arrested in police encounters. A substantial number of high
explosives, including 28 detonators, 40 hand grenades, 32
sophisticated arms, 38 rockets, five suicide jackets, and 12 live bombs
were also seized from the terrorists.

Just before Ashura in 2008, the Sindh police with the help of the
Federal Security Agency were able to arrest a group comprising five
terrorists who had planned to mix cyanide in Sabeels installed along
the routes of main Shia processions.

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 13

On January 19, 2008, a terrorist group called Tehreek Islami Lashkar-eMuhammadi was busted.

This group had killed 14 peopled between 2002 and 2007. The victims
belonged to minority communities, including Christians and Ahmadis,
as well as prominent businessmen and members of non-governmental
organizations (NGOs). A large number of explosives were also
recovered.

On January 29, 2008, two simultaneous encounters in the area of PS

Shah Latif/Landhi resulted in the deaths of two terrorists and the arrest
if four others belonging to the Jundullah group (involved in a series of
terrorist acts including attack on the Corps Commander convoy in
2004.

In these encounters, Police Inspector Asghar Ali Dahri and Head

Constable (HC) Raja Tariq died, while Superintendent of Police (SP)
Azad Khan and three jawans sustained bullet injuries.

An encounter took place in the Baldia Town Karachi with the militants
of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LJ) on September 26, 2008, on a tip-off by a
terrorist, Raheemullah alias Naeem. In the ensuring encounter with the
Crime Investigation Department (CID) terrorists blew up a house which
was completely destroyed. Later, the police found three bodies of
terrorists and one body of the hostage, a transporter named Shokat
Afridi.

The police also launched simultaneous and multipronged anti-dacoit

operations in interior Sindh.

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 14

Several safe havens for dacoits in areas which had previously been
inaccessible, including Sharifpur, K.T. Mumtaz, Shah Belo, Jagan Raunti,
Golo Daro and Johi, were cleaned up as a result of police operations.
As many as 173 dacoits were killed and 9,891 criminals were arrested
in a total of 2,577 encounters. During recent operations, 28 notorious
outlaws carrying Rs16.5 million reward money were killed or arrested.

Kidnapping for ransom in interior Sindh which had caused serious

concern amongst the citizens was also effectively curbed, Khattak said.
Forty criminals from 15 gangs were either killed or apprehended, while
a huge quantity of arms and ammunition was seized.

Khattak further said that highway robberies were effectively decresed

by intensive patrolling and picketing by the police. Twelve groups of
highway robbers were busted and huge quantities of arms and
ammunition were seized.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?
ID=154726&Cat=4&dt=1/2/2009

Marked decrease in crime in

2008:
KARACHI: As many as 20,297 policemen including officials
involved in corruption, negligence and other issues were punished
during the year of 2008 across the province and 56 cases were
registered against them.

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 15

Although the Sindh police broke all records of the last 20 years
during operations against robbers and recovered numerous weapons,
said Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sallahuddin Baber Khatak.
He said this during a press conference held at the Central Police
Office on Tuesday afternoon where, speaking to journalists, he said that
the law and order situation in Sindh remained stable as no major
incident of terrorist activity, suicide bombing or attack on foreigners
has been reported during the year 2008.
Although the crime situation in the province in the first half of the
year was not steady but due to effective counter measures the crime
situation significantly improved during the second half of 2008. There
were considerable decreases in the number of crimes including
kidnapping for ransom, robbery, highway robbery, bank robbery,
vehicle snatching and mobile snatching.
Action against terrorism: The Sindh police was able to thwart four
terrorist groups during 2008, which planned to carry out suicide
bombings in Karachi. Consequently, six terrorists belonging to jehadi
organisations were killed and 37 terrorists were arrested in police
encounters. A substantial number of high explosives including, 28
detonators, 40 hand grenades, 32 sophisticated arms, 38 rockets, five
suicide jackets and 12 live bombs were also seized from the terrorists.
Operation against dacoits in interior Sindh: The police launched
simultaneous anti-dacoit operations in interior Sindh. In conjunction
with its drive against criminals and squatters, the Sindh police also
specifically focused on recovery of illicit arms and on arresting
absconders.
During these operations, the Sindh police was able to eliminate 173
dacoits and arrest 9,891 criminals in 2,577 encounters. During the
recent operations, 78 notorious outlaws carrying Rs 16.5 million as
head money were either killed or arrested.
Kidnapping for ransom: Fifteen gangs comprising of 40 notorious
outlaws involved in kidnapping for ransom were killed or apprehended
and the police also seized a huge quantity of arms.

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 16

Highway robbery: Twelve groups involved in highway robberies were

busted and huge quantities of arms were seized.
Street crime and vehicle snatching in Urban areas: In Karachi,
there has been a 40 percent decrease in street crime. Cell phone
snatchings have been reduced by 52 percent and vehicle snatchings
have been decreased by 50 percent.
Counter measures against Lyari gang war: After deployment of
police and Rangers in Lyari, the gang war subsided and the gangsters
involved have been flushed out.
The IGP further said that there is almost a 50 percent decrease in
incidents of target killing and street crimes after a ban was imposed on
pillion riding.

http://archives.dailytimes.com.pk/karachi/31-Dec-2008/markeddecrease-in-crime-in-2008-says-sindh-igp

Crime and Law & Order

Situation in Province of
Sindh
The Law & Order situation in the province of Sindh remained
stable as no major incident of terrorist activity, suicide bombing or
attack on foreigners has been reported during the Year 2008.
Although the crime situation in the province in the first half of the
year 2008 was not steady but due to effective counter measures, the
crime situation significantly improved during the second half of 2008. A
considerable decrease was seen in crimes under heads of kidnapping

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 17

for ransom, house robbery, highway robbery, bank robbery, vehicle

snatching and street crime (mobile snatching), etc.

Table: I Month-wise Crime Figures of Year 2008 are as under:MONT

H

HIGHW
KIDNAPPI AVG AY
NG
.
DACOIT
FOR
PER Y /
RANSOM DAY ROBBE
RY

JAN

12

0.39

10

FEB

24

0.83

MAR

28

0.9

27

APRIL

19

0.63

13

MAY

18

0.58

20

JUNE

25

0.83

15

JULY

10

0.32

AUG

11

0.35

13

SEP

10

0.33

OCT

0.29

NOV
DEC

7
6

0.23
0.19

6
0

AV
G.
PER
DA
Y
0.3
2
0.2
8
0.8
7
0.4
3
0.6
5
0.5
0.2
9
0.4
1
0.3
0
0.0
9
0.2
0

STRE
ET
CRIM
E
AVG.
PER
DAY

4WHEELE
R
SNATCHI
NG AVG.
PER DAY

2WHELLE
R
SNATCHI
NG AVG.
PER DAY

75

3.4

87

78

4.4

13.2

82

6.2

17.8

76

4.2

15.7

65

2.6

11.0

56

3.4

11.8

58

2.9

12.8

50

2.4

11.6

42

5.0

14.2

49

4.7

89

50
31

4.0
2.5

14.0
4.4

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 18

OPERATION AGAINST
DACOITS IN INTERIOR
SINDH
Police

launched

simultaneous

multi

pronged

anti-dacoit

operations in interior Sindh. In conjunction with its drive against

criminals / patharidars, the Sindh Police also specifically focused on
recovery of illicit arms and arrest of proclaimed offenders/ absconders.
Several safe havens of dacoits in hitherto inaccessible areas i.e
Sharifpur, K.T Mumtaz, Shah Belo, Jagan, Raunti, Golo Daro & Johi were
cleaned-up by Police as a result of Police operations. During these
operations Sindh Police were able to eliminate 173 dacoits and arrest
9891 criminals in 2577 encounters. The Police action has brought
appreciable relief to the populace in Sindh. During the recent
operations 18 notorious outlaws/ dacoits carrying 16.5 millions Reward
money were eliminated / arrested.

KIDNAPPING FOR RANSOM

Kidnapping for ransom in interior Sindh which had caused serious
concern amongst the citizens was effectively curbed. 15 gangs
comprising of 40 notorious outlaws involved in this crime were either
eliminated or apprehended, besides seizure of huge quantity of arms
and ammunition.

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 19

HIGHWAY DACOITY / ROBBERY :

Highway dacoity / robbery was effectively brought down by
intensive patrolling / picketing and proactive action by Police. 12
groups of highway robbers were busted and huge quantity of arms and
ammunition seized.

STREET CRIME / VEHICLE

SNATCHING IN URBAN AREAS:
In the city of Karachi there has been 40% decrease in the over all
street crime. Cell phone snatching has been reduced by 52% and
vehicle snatching has reported a significant decrease of 50%. During
encounters with street criminals and vehicle lifters, Karachi Police have
succeeded in eliminating and arresting many outlaws and gangs.
http://pakistansocietyofcriminology.com/articles/CRIMELAWORDERSITU
ATIONINSINDH.doc

2009

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 20

Police issue Crime Situation

Report 2009: Crime declined
'remarkably' in Sindh during
'09?
Sindh police have claimed that crime declined remarkably across the
province during the year 2009 owing to proactive policing.
Besides significant improvement in police performance, they also
claimed that the overall street crimes in Karachi decreased sharply due
to effective crime prevention strategy during the year.
According to the police's Crime Situation Report 2009, vehiclesnatching decreased by 30 percent, cell phone snatching lessened by
38 percent, kidnapping for ransom incidents reduced by 19 percent
while there was 33 percent and 37 percent decline in highway robbery
and bank robbery, respectively.
The police busted 38 terrorist gangs, killed six terrorists and arrested
92 terrorists during the year.
They recovered 821-kg high explosives, 2,252 detonators, 214 hand
grenades, seven anti tank guns, seven BM mortar missiles, 15 live
bombs, 24 rocket launchers, 222 rockets/launcher grenades, 23 suicide
jackets, 38 other devices and 172 sophisticated weapons from
terrorists.
Furthermore, the police eliminated or arrested 74 outlaws carrying Rs
50.9 million reward money while 183 other dacoits, arrested 11,733
criminals/robbers, busted 1,009 gangs of criminals, arrested 4,021
proclaimed offenders, 46,198 absconders and 228 patharidars for
harbouring robbers.
During the year, 3,299 encounters/red-handed captures took place in
which 52 policemen were martyred and 193 injured.
The police also recovered a large number of weapons from criminals
that include one anti-aircraft gun, three LMG, six G-3 rifles, five MP-V

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 21

rifles, 767 SMGs, 392 rifles, 1,660 shotguns/repeaters, 9,066

pistols/revolvers, 136 hand grenades/rockets, 160 launchers and
73,773 ammunitions.

http://stagingarchives.dailytimes.com.pk/karachi/18-Jan-2010/police-issuecrime-situation-report-2009-crime-declined-remarkably-in-sindh-during-09

2010-2011
Detail Break Up of Snatched/Stolen and Recovered
Vehicles in 2010
Period
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
Septembe
r
October
Total

Snatched
118
84
101
116
93
107
110
88
83
146
1046

4-Wheelers
Stolen Total Recovered
288
406
150
229
313
140
244
345
178
231
347
154
263
356
126
274
381
174
290
400
181
268
356
140
254
337
161
306
2647

452
3693

185
1589

Percentage
36.95%
44.73%
51.59%
44.38%
35.39%
45.67%
45.25%
39.33%
47.77%
40.93%
43.03%

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 22

Period
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
Septemb
er
October
Total

Snatche
d
280
249
285
230
353
225
249
267
243

Stolen

267
2648

1128
9322

760
718
935
832
916
895
989
1082
1067

2-Wheelers
Total
Recovere
d
1040
195
967
166
1220
226
1062
189
1269
185
1120
200
1238
221
1349
184
1310
229
1395
11970

246
2041

Percenta
ge
18.75%
17.17%
18.52%
17.80%
14.58%
17.86%
17.85%
13.64%
17.48%
17.63%
17.05%

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 23

Fact finding: Crime rate

declined in (2010- 2011) says
Sindh police:

The Sindh police claims that the overall crime rate declined
this year, on the basis of a report which contains comparative
figures of crimes from January 1 till September 15 from 2010
and 2011. Not surprisingly, most number of crimes occurred
in Karachi, according to official statistics. The report states that
there was an overall decrease in crime in Karachi. It says that 45,593
crimes took place in the 8.5 months of 2010 while 30,707 cases were
registered this year, showing a decrease of 14,886 cases.
In Mirpurkhas, 81 less crimes were registered, with 3,884 last year
and 3,803 this year. There was a decrease of 133 cases in Larkana,

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 24

with 7,231 reported last year and 7,098 this year. In Hyderabad and
Sukkur, however, the number of registered crimes was higher in 2011,
with 366 more in Hyderabad and 1,962 more crimes in Sukkur.
Hence, the overall crime difference for the province stands at 12,772,
as 61,855 crimes were reported in 2011 as compared to 74,627 last
year during the same period.

Kidnapping for ransom:

Karachi topped the list again, with the most number of cases at 54.
There were three more kidnappings in Karachi, eight more
kidnappings in Hyderabad and two more in Mirpurkhas. But five less
kidnappings reported in Sukkur and seven less in Larkana. The total
number of kidnappings in the province remained almost the same
with 125 kidnappings last year and 126 this year.

Robberies:
Most number of robberies took place in Karachi again with 2,105 last
year and 2291 this year, with an increase of 186 cases. There was a
slight increase of three cases in Sukkur as well. Figures from
Hyderabad and Larkana show a decrease again with 129 and 29 less
cases. However, the total number of robberies in Sindh shot up this
year from 3,229 to 3245.

Vehicle theft/snatching:

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 25

The number of car thefts reported declined slightly while the number
of motorcycle thefts shot up by 343. In Hyderabad the number car
thefts declined slightly with a decrease of 42 cases reported.
In Mirpurkhas, the rate of car theft remained the same while 11 less
motorcycle thefts were reported. In Sukkur, however, there was a
slight increase in both while in Larkana the rate declined this year. A
total of 84 less cars, and 320 more motorcycles were reported stolen
this year from January 1 till September 15.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/274190/fact-finding-crime-rate-declinedin-2011-say-sindh-police/

STREET CRIMES SURGE IN

KARACHI (2011):
The 200 million strong economic metropolis of Karachi, earlier rife
with target killings is now faced with the menace of street crimes. The
emboldened criminals are simply having a field of a day by indulging in
daylight snatchings, and decamping at leisure with heaviest of any loot
and plunder. If any hapless citizen resists, the ruthless criminals do not
hesitate to put him/her to eternal rest. Bank dacoities are another
latest craze among these gangsters, with at least 17 dacoities
committed within past 11 months. Not only di all dacoits manage to
decamp with their loot, but in most cases also managed to take CCTV
recordings and weapons of guards as well. The only exception was
during a recent dacoity in Rizvia Thana jurisdiction, where CCTV was
out of order for past 15 days. Besides, no resistance from private
security guards has ever been reported during these dacoities. This is
the reason why none of the guards had been assaulted during these
robberies.
A total of Rs.600 million have so far been reported as looted from such
dacoities, out of which Korangi industrial Area police have been able to
recover Rs.1.6 million, only. During November, dacoits also managed to
loot Rs.390 million from a security van, also killing the resisting guard.

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 26

Police have expressed their doubts over the possible connivance of the
van driver as well. Considering this absurdness of security guards, the
home minister, Manzoor Wasan, was forced to express his dismay at
employing untrained guards by the banks. Regulations have been
enforced to ensure employment of trained guards, verified by police in
future.
In what could be termed as the biggest bank dacoity in history of
Pakistan so far, occurring in 2009, the guards were discovered to be
involved; they had even provided wrong personal addresses, yet they
had been employed after full verification by police. During final dates
of the same month, armed robbers entered a bank in Nazimabad and
looted Rs.5.3 million, while they also took away the footage of CCTV
cameras, and also looted customers present in the bank.
Police reports have indicated that a total of five robbers took part in a
robbery, out of which three entered the bank while two remained
outside as a watch/backup. It is also pertinent to note that majority of
bank robberies have taken place in western part of Karachi. The
investigators have gathered that mostly a single major group was
involved in these dacoities, which used Suzuki pickups. SSP Raja Omar
Khitab maintains that the group hailed from Para Chinar area, led by
one Ghulab Shah. Two bank robbers arrested during a foiled robbery
bid were identified as Omar Khan Afridi and Sharif Khan Ghasili of
Sohrab Goth, hailing from Kohat. The arrested terrorists also confessed
that they were actively involved in numerous cases of kidnapping for
ransom, the proceeds of which were disbursed to banned outfits for
funding their acts of terrorism. This is food for thought for lawenforcement elements, who would also have to evolve an effective
strategy to deal with this volatile situation.
Deliberating over the issue, the additional I.G Karachi, Ghulam Ahmad
Sheikh, says that the record of dacoities conducted during past five
years showed that mostly national public/private banks had been
targeted, compared to multi-national banks. This has been attributed
to strict adherence to SOPs by the multi-national banks. He also
informed that earlier there used to be just one bank guard in the bank
premises, safely and securely ensconced in a much stronger post, only
accessible to him. This system has, however, been discarded. Referring
to CCTV system in banks, he said none of the banks looted so far had
CCTV, adding that a system had been evolved according to which the

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 27

backup of these recordings would not only be maintained by head

offices of banks, but also at CPO office. The SHOs would also visit the
banks of their respective zones, while also checking/ verifying the
guards integrity.
One of the major reasons of increasing instances of street crimes has
been attributed to public use/display of mobile phones, making an easy
target for street criminals. The prime torture for the victims is getting
their cases registered in police stations, which was tantamount to
victimizing oneself to worse-ever limits. The first very step is the hard
grilling by police officer, who spends quite some hours trying to
ascertain if this act had been committed in his jurisdiction at all. This is
followed by another torturous process of trying to goad the hapless
complainant that he should only limit oneself to a mere entry, as
lodging an FIR would entail victims daily appearance in Thana.
The victim is also informed that criminal suspect would have to be
identified, followed by another long process of court appearances. Only
then could one be able to gain access to ones belongings. Meanwhile,
the government seems to be least bothered to control street crimes at
all.
http://weeklypulse.org/details.aspx?contentID=1574&storylist=5
Years

2004

2005

Murder

9719

9631

Kidnapping/Abd
uction
Dacoity

9637

9209

2338

Robbery

1185
1
1364
7

Burglary

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2395

1004
8
1043
1
2895

1055
6
1072
5
3260

1205
9
1513
5
4529

1249
1
1631
3
4457

1320
8
1855
6
4727

1386
0
1980
6
4980

1219
9
1206
7

1463
0
1287
2

1663
9
1206
7

1994
3
1494
3

1913
8
1507
3

2190
7
1663
8

2063
2
1819
5

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 28

Chart
25000
Murder

20000

Kidnapping/Abduction
Dacoity

15000

Robbery
10000

Burglary

5000
0

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

http://www.sindhpolice.gov.pk/annoucements/crime_stat_sindh.as
p

2010-2011

2012
2012: Crime reigns supreme in
Karachi
The region-wise crime report says there was decrease in the overall
crime in Karachi as 45593 crimes of different nature took place in eight
and half a month of 2010 while in same period this year the registered
crime was 30707 showing a decrease of 14886. In Hyderabad region,
10486 crimes were committed which rose to 10852 this year during
the period under report. Crime declined by 81 incidents in Mirpur Khas
region as 3884 crimes were reported last year and 3803 crimes this
year. Sukkur region registered an increase of 1962 crimes as 7433
cases were reported last year and 9395 this year, while in Larkana
region 7231 crimes were reported last year and 7098 this year by

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 29

September 15 showing decrease of 133 cases. This way the overall

crime difference for the province stands at 12772 as 61855 crimes of
different nature were reported this year compared to 74627 in
corresponding period last year.
In Karachi 1043 people were murdered in eight and half a month of
2010, while 1425 were killed in same period this year showing an
increase of 382. The murder cases declined by 13 in Hyderabad region
as 339 people were killed this year and 352 last year. In Mirpur Khas
116 persons were murdered last year and 118 this year. In Sukkur
region 423 killings took place last year and 437 this year showing an
increase of 14 while there was a decrease of 57 murder cases in
Larkana region as 449 people were killed last year and 392 this year.
Overall, 2711 persons killed in eight and half a month this year against
2383 last year across the province.
In Karachi police range 967 cases were reported this year by
September 15 and 918 last year in same period. Karachi tops in such
cases as 51 kidnappings for ransom took place last year and 54 this
year. Karachi also tops in robberies as 2105 such cases took place last
year and 2291 this year showing an increase of 186 cases.
There is also no match to Karachi in this crime as 1492 cases of fourwheelers and 4856 cases of bikes were reported last year and 1478
cases of four-wheelers and 5199 bikes this year; In Hyderabad 188
cases of 4-wheelers and 404 cases of bikes were reported last year and
146 cases of 4-wheelers and 404 of bikes were reported this year.
Killings are on the rise in the metropolis. Who will handle the terrorists?
What are the law enforcement agencies doing? The truth of the matter
is that not even the law enforcers are safe from the wave of terrorism.
Police make hue and cry of not having enough resources while
terrorists are equipped with latest weapons. Are the police officials
being provided latest training and weaponry to coup with the menace
of terrorism? The question is who will fulfill the needs of the police
force. The scared citizens of this mega city are seeking answers.
http://weeklypulse.org/details.aspx?contentID=3129&storylist=5

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 30

Sindh police claim

reduction in crime rate:
The Sindh Police Department claimed on Tuesday to have
achieved a considerable and substantial reduction in crime rate in
Sindh, especially in the months of July and August, as no incident of
terrorism had occurred.

According to the spokesman, the Sindh Police focused against

terrorism, target killings, kidnapping for ransom and extortion. Since
July 1, 212 criminals were killed in encounters, while 1,254 were
arrested. Other than hard core criminals, 6,707 suspects were arrested.

The number of killings has come down from over 275 in August 2013 to
around 150 in August 2014, which shows considerable reduction.
Similarly, 246 people were killed in July last year while 148 persons lost
their lives in July this year.

Recently the killing incidents have further declined as average death

toll has been brought down from nine to five per day (approx). Lyari
and District West are success stories of the ongoing Karachi operation.
Extortion in Lyari has been curtailed to a great extent, infighting has
been controlled and the police are moving in the areas freely.

During the last two months, street crime has also been targeted by
police, as 165 criminals involved in dacoities and robberies have been
killed, while 1,180 have been arrested in 323 encounters. Police killings
continued to pose serious challenge. During this year, 119 personnel
were killed in Karachi, while 36 were martyred in the rest of Sindh.
Police arrested 36 accused and 18 were killed.

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 31

Provision of bulletproof cars, jackets and other such gadgets can tilt
the balance in favour of police. Besides, modalities have been worked
out and a proposal has been prepared to establish a DNA Lab. The
ongoing Karachi operation has enhanced the credibility of the
government as well as the present Inspector General of Police (Sindh)
Ghulam Haider Jamali, the Sindh Police spokesperson said.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-4-273371-Sindh-police-claimreduction-in-crime-rate

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 32

2013-2014
Street robberies thrive as
police focus on heinous
crimes:
As the targeted operation entered its second year in September
2014, the law-enforcement agencies appear to have become more
aggressive in chasing suspected criminals, militants and gangsters, but
the exercise seems to have proved ineffective in terms of controlling
street crimes as the number of mobile phone and motorcycle snatching
has registered an upsurge during the first 14 months of the joint action
launched by the police and Rangers, it emerged on Sunday.
The statistics released by the Karachi police recently elaborating
figures of different crimes and action taken by the law-enforcement
agencies suggest that Karachiites have lost 18,519 mobile phones in
421 days since the targeted-operation was launched compared with
11,295 mobile phones they were deprived of in the previous
corresponding period.
Since September 2013 when the operation was launched, the
Karachiites have been losing 44 mobile phones a day compared with
27 during the same period before that exercise was launched, said an
official while explaining the Karachi police data.

Karachiites have lost 18,519 mobile phones in 421 days since

the targeted operation was launched

Similarly, a total of 26,040 motorcycles were either snatched or stolen

during 421 days of the operation while during the same number of
days before the operation, the figures stood at 24,672. It means that

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 33

since the operation was launched more than 58 people are being
deprived of their two-wheelers each day.
With threats ranging from terrorist attacks to deadly gun battles with
gangsters, street criminals and hit men associated with political groups
looming large, the Karachi police itself have paid the price for being
active mainly against militants and hit men associated with criminal
gangs and political parties. The institution lost its 132 personnel in
2014 till October.
While the police and Rangers performance has brought down the
number of killings on sectarian, ethnic and political grounds to a
certain extent, it has raised questions about the growing number of
robberies in streets, including mobile phone and motorbike snatching
incidents considered a key indicator of street crimes. However, security
experts believe there are reasons behind this trend.
The operation mainly focused on four heinous crimes killings,
kidnapping for ransom, extortion and street crimes, said Citizen-Police
Liaison Committee (CPLC) chief Ahmed Chinoy.
For three issues killings, kidnapping for ransom and extortion
there are specialised units of the police with key support from Rangers.
That is the reason there is a sharp decline on that side, but the street
crime is solely handled by police stations and their performance is
definitely not up to the mark.
He said that the law-enforcement agency on one hand lacked
resources at the police station level and on the other they never took
mobile phone and motorbike snatching very seriously.
At the CPLC, we have several times identified areas where the rate of
street crime is much higher. The issue can be handled with focus on
those areas that included proper deployment and serious surveillance,
but unfortunately as I said it was never taken seriously, added Mr
Chinoy.
He suggested immediate reforms at the police station level, including
enhancement of resources and checks on performance of personnel
performing duties at police stations level.
This is needed to be done on fast track. Our police are capable
enough of handling this menace, but they need support in terms of

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 34

resources and approach of active policing at the police station level,

suggested the CPLC chief.
http://www.dawn.com/news/1146451/street-robberies-thrive-as-policefocus-on-heinous-crimes

Street Crimes On The Rise:

There has been an alarming rise in street crimes and the metropolis is
once again in grip of a new wave of such crimes, resulting in the sense
of insecurity amongst the city dwellers. As a whole, the year 2013 has
also seen no respite in street crimes in the metropolitan, once called
the city of lights. Even with the change in the government, the
grievances faced by the people have not lessened. Rather new
dimensions have been added to it.
Street crimes have unfortunately become a regular feature in Karachi.
Armed robbery, snatching valuable stuffs, vehicles, assault and
mugging are a part and parcel of the metropolitan life. These criminals
come well armed and well prepared to execute crimes by overpowering
their victims with fear and weapons. As a result the victims, normally
blue-collar citizens, are deprived of their hard earned money and
valuables.
Despite the rise in street crimes, the citizens avoid registering their
complaints with the police. Mostly because they are at their wits end
with the attitude of law enforcers regarding complainants and
complaints both. Victims are also less likely to report a crime to police
in order to avoid lengthy and undue involvement with the police.
Despite all the prevention schemes, street crimes are fast becoming a
major concern for citizens of Karachi and other big cities. The solution
lies not only in stern action against these criminals but also in

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 35

educating the youth against these crimes and providing them with
adequate social status and job opportunities.
Looting of seven banks of Karachi in just two months is undeniable
proof of dismal performance of police and other law enforcing
agencies. Looting of pedestrians, commuters, motorists on Karachi
streets has become a routine matter, like purse snatching from ladies.
Despite police deployment on roads bandits easily loot minibuses in
broad daylight. Armed men also snatch cash and valuables from
citizens outside the ATM booths, but the police do nothing to give them
protection
Despite ban on pillion riding and police and Rangers posts after every
5 kilometers and beefed up patrolling of law enforcers on city streets,
the rate of crime has not come down; instead the criminals have
increased their activities.
According to statistics obtained from Citizen Police Liaison Committee,
the rate of street crime remained almost consistent in the first five
months of the year.
The city witnessed snatching of 424 four-wheelers in January, 357 in
February, 420 in March, 348 in April and 398 vehicles in May. The
number of motorcycles snatched or stolen was: 1,951 in January; 1,801
in February, 1,521 in March; 1,574 in April and 1,805 in May.
Similarly, 1,868 cell phones were snatched or stolen in January; 1,758
in February; 1,574 in March; 1,601 in April and 1,662 in May.
The CPLC statistics identify the high-risk areas for motorcycle
snatchings as Saddar and Gulshan-e-Iqbal, followed by Jamshed Town
and Liaquatabad. For cars, the area with the highest risk is Gulshan-eIqbal followed by Jamshed Town and Clifton.
The most-stolen car is the Suzuki Alto, followed by the Daihatsu Cuore
and Daihatsu Charade. White cars are stolen the most.

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 36

The killings in the city also increased in the month of May where
according to police records, 263 people including political activists and
educationists have been murdered in the city.
The statistics show 60 killings in first two weeks each of May while 53
and 90 people were killed in the last two weeks respectively.
Residents of some areas say that people have made arrangements on
their own in the neighborhoods to avoid any street crimes and
dacoities. They have made speed breakers and put barriers in our
areas to avoid any criminal activity in the area.
The recent street battles between armed gangs in Lyari and its
surrounding areas have also created havoc in the city. Fear has gripped
the business centers of the Saddar and its surroundings due to the
battles. Shopkeepers say they are forced to close their markets on
almost daily basis because of uncertain law and order situation in the
area.
It seems that police and Rangers are on the mercy of the criminal
gangs who are using rockets and hand grenades in the area in the
presence of law enforcers.
Meanwhile, no Home ministry and Sindh government official was
available for comment on the issue.
The crimes are also taking toll on the mental health of the city
dwellers. Health experts say that street crimes are the main cause of
increase in psycho patients besides the incidents of suicide and divorce
in Karachi. With the increase in street crimes, the sense of insecurity
among all the classes of society has also risen. The ratio of psycho
patients at hospitals testifies this claim. According to statistics, there
had been overall 82 per cent increase in psycho patients over these
years in the city as compared to previous number of patients.
The inefficient police department needs an urgent overhauling to
ensure security of life and property of citizens.

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 37

The government should take firm and sustainable steps to end criminal
gangs operating in Karachi with a complete impunity and end the
growing feeling on insecurity amongst the masses.
http://www.pstimes.com/2013/07/29/street-crimes-on-the-rise/

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 38

http://www.cplc.org.pk/content.php?page=29

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 39

Cell phone snatched/theft in Karachi 2013-2014

S t r e e t C r i m e i n S i n d h 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 1 4 | 40

http://www.cplc.org.pk/content.php?page=30