Sindh’s senior minister, Sharjeel Inam Memon, identified “illegal settlers” as the main contributors to Karachi’s escalating street crimes, which resulted in over ten fatalities during Ramadan, Islam’s most sacred month.
Karachi witnessed 6,780 incidents of street crime in a single month, with 20 vehicles hijacked and over 130 stolen, 830 motorcycles were hijacked, and another 4,200 were stolen throughout Ramadan.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reported tens of thousands of street crimes in 2023, leading to more than 100 deaths, a trend that continued into the first quarter of 2024.
After Eid ul Fitr prayers in Hyderabad, Memon stated, “The Sindh government is exerting every effort to curb street crimes… Illegal settlers are the root of this issue.”
Amidst this surge, Additional Inspector General (AIG) Karachi, Imran Yaqoob Minhas, disclosed that 300,000 to 400,000 professional beggars flock to the city each Ramadan, exploiting the Eid season.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori highlighted the economic impact of these crimes, suggesting the SIFC—a civil-military body—should play a more active role in securing peace in Karachi.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab noted an increase in street crimes over the past six months in Pakistan’s most populous city and assured law enforcement is actively pursuing the perpetrators.
Recently, the Sindh High Court (SHC) issued a one-month ultimatum to provincial authorities, demanding the restoration of law and order amid the spike in street crimes in Karachi.
