Karachi: A City in Perpetual Turmoil

Karachi, the vibrant heart of Pakistan, is a city teeming with opportunity. Alas, beneath its lively surface, the specter of crime casts a long shadow. It was once feared that this sprawling megalopolis was hurtling towards chaos — it now seems to be in the midst of it. The critical questions that arise are how long can this city survive without the rule of law, and whether the cycle of fear and corruption perpetuated by its powerful elite will ever cease.

Having witnessed the city’s struggles first-hand, I am well aware that any time there is an attempt to find lasting solutions to its problem, doubts and skepticism are raised regarding the steps that must be taken, which end up derailing these efforts completely. At the same time, a lack of commitment, diligence, and dedication among those responsible has allowed a dangerous status quo to gradually become entrenched. This status quo is marked by a vicious cycle of crime and corruption rooted deeply in the city’s socio-political landscape, and it remains unchallenged specifically due to the intellectual dishonesty mentioned above.

As the nation’s largest city, Karachi should be a beacon of progress and prosperity. Instead, it suffers from anarchy and lawlessness. It is impossible to find a home that has not been mugged or which does not have a story to tell. Decades of sectarian strife, ethnic tensions and political intrigues have divided its people, making them susceptible to exploitation by both criminal elements as well as outwardly respectable members of the elite, who directly or indirectly benefit from the crimes committed under their watch.

Rapid urbanization and population growth have strained the metropolitan infrastructure and widened socio-economic disparities. Slums proliferate, providing fertile breeding grounds for crime and the drug trade. Weak law enforcement, politicization of the police force and rampant corruption have fostered a culture of impunity. Criminals operate freely, and justice seems like a distant dream. Despite sporadic crackdowns and high-profile arrests, these fundamental issues have persisted, leaving the city mired in insecurity.

Intriguingly, Karachi, with over 20.3 million inhabitants, reported a surprisingly low number of crimes — approximately 65,000, as per the police record, and 93,467, according to the Citizens Police Liaison Committee — in 2023. This figure contrasts sharply with Lahore, which, with a lesser population of 14.4 million, reported a staggering 365,000 cases for the same year. This discrepancy raises questions: Is Karachi concealing its crime statistics, or is Lahore experiencing a surge in criminal activities?

The disparity suggests a complex interplay of factors, including a possible lack of trust in law enforcement, leading to underreporting in Karachi. Meanwhile, higher reporting rates in Lahore could indicate either an increase in crime or a more robust reporting culture. It is time that we realize that the consequences of underreporting crime can be severe, as they allow criminals to evade justice and thereby perpetuate a cycle of impunity. Getting to the bottom of the statistics is crucial in ensuring effective law enforcement; it is shocking, then, that officials seem to be giving more precedence to creating a false sense of security.

Then there are other issues. The provincial authorities, instead of appointing a full-time police chief in Karachi in response to the rising wave of crime, have assigned additional duties to the additional inspector-general of the Counter-Terrorism Department. As outstanding professionals of the Police Service of Pakistan, both AIG Imran Yaqoob Minhas and IG Sindh Ghulam Nabi can be banked on to revive Karachi’s fortunes. However, they need more than just titles to be successful. To appoint officers, combat delinquency within the ranks, and enforce the law impartially and without political interference, they need tenure, autonomy, resources and sufficient legal authority.

The urban police models recommended in the Police Reforms Committee report must be implemented, and forensic facilities must be upgraded as part of the city’s crime-fighting strategy. Furthermore, the introduction of geofencing technology to investigating officers can enhance their ability to track and apprehend suspects more efficiently. As an alternative to carrying AK-47s, which each weigh around 3.8 kilogrammes, the local police force should be trained as a ‘pistol force’. It should be backed up with a dedicated squad of quick-response units fully armed with heavy and modern gadgets whenever firepower and tactical advantage become necessary.

The chronic crime problem in Karachi demands a multifaceted approach. There should be operational autonomy for law enforcement, special courts for speedy resolution of cases, an increase in police presence, removal of police personnel from protocol and individual security duties, and the implementation of technological advances like AI-driven policing and Safe City, which are now long overdue. Lastly, the community needs to be engaged to cultivate a cooperative atmosphere between police and citizens.

Separately, Karachi’s governance and accountability cultures also desperately need a transformation. For too long, self-interest has overridden public welfare, perpetuated corruption, and hindered the eradication of crime. It will be impossible for meaningful change to take place in the city until its leaders start placing public safety above politics. They must be made to realize that criminality and poor quality of life are consequences of state failure, and they affect the community as a whole.

A safer Karachi requires action. The city can break free from the grip of terror and reclaim its future only through collective effort and steadfast determination. One local leader recently noted that “investing in policing and removing extraneous interference is key to ensuring the safety of future generations and protecting our rights.” Wiser words were never spoken.