Karachi crime rate declines, Sindh govt says

Karachi crime rate declines, Sindh govt says

KARACHI: Sindh government spokesperson Saadia Javed has said the provincial government never claimed that Karachi had completely eliminated crime, stressing that authorities continue to take measures to improve law and order in the city.

Javed said Karachi recorded an overall decline in crime during the first eight months of the year. She said the government and police were working to curb criminal activities and strengthen security measures across the city.

However, the spokesperson acknowledged that crime showed some increase during the first few days of September. She said the recent rise required immediate attention and admitted that shortcomings within the police force could contribute to the failure to prevent certain crimes.

“There has been a decline in crime from January to August, but we cannot claim that crime has reached zero,” Javed said, emphasising that the government remained focused on improving the situation.

She also highlighted progress in a recent robbery case in Clifton, where armed suspects allegedly looted a citizen outside a bank. According to Javed, police arrested the suspects involved in the incident, demonstrating that law enforcement agencies were taking action against criminals.

The spokesperson said the provincial government would continue to monitor the performance of the police and take steps wherever weaknesses emerged. She acknowledged that effective crime control requires not only police action but also stronger coordination and accountability within the law enforcement system.

Javed further disclosed that Sindh Home Minister had summoned a meeting of senior police officers to review the city’s security situation and discuss measures to prevent further incidents.

The meeting is expected to focus on the recent increase in crime, police performance, and strategies to strengthen security in Karachi. Authorities will also review existing measures and identify areas where law enforcement needs to improve its response.

The Sindh government has repeatedly faced pressure over law and order in Karachi, particularly following incidents of street crime and robberies. While officials point to an overall decline in crime figures, the recent increase at the start of September has renewed concerns about the effectiveness of policing in some parts of the city.

Javed maintained that the government would continue working with police authorities to address these concerns and ensure better protection for citizens.