Tag: street crime

  • As street crime escalates in Karachi, HRCP voices concern

    As street crime escalates in Karachi, HRCP voices concern

    Street crime in Karachi has been on an alarming rise since the beginning of the year and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has voiced its concern on the matter.

    Once known as the city of lights, Karachi has long been the victim of street crimes and the breakdown of law and order, making the lives of common people difficult.

    In 2023, over 90,000 crimes were reported in the metropolitan city which was, unfortunately, an increased number as compared to 2022 when 80,000 crimes were registered.

    As per the reports, out of 90,000 incidents a total of 134 citizens were brutally murdered, hundreds injured over resisting robberies, while 411 civilians were killed in various incidents.

    HRCP released a statement on X saying, “The first quarter of 2024 has followed the same pattern. While vigilantism and increased brutality in response by citizens is not the answer, the government’s failure to address rising crime levels is shocking.”

    It further stated that the core reasons for this upward tick in crimes have always been “unemployment” and “economic desperation” which must be urgently addressed to restore law and order in the city.

  • ‘Crime is part of life’; Astonishing statement by Sindh home minister

    ‘Crime is part of life’; Astonishing statement by Sindh home minister

    Sindh Home Minister Zia ul Hasan Lanjar has said that Karachi’s law and order situation is being “exaggerated”. In a press briefing held on Sunday, he said “Street crime exists in Karachi, however, it has been exaggerated in media.”

    On March 13, the provincial cabinet was informed that nearly 16,000 street crimes had been recorded in Karachi since January 2024. He termed street crime as “part of daily life.” Since January, 49 citizens have been killed resisting street crimes.

    The Minister showed sympathy with the families of those who lost their lives, stating that measures were being taken to end the wave in Karachi, including action against the station house officer (SHO) where crime would occur.

    Furthermore, he said that around 1,000 policemen would be sent to Kashmore District for an operation against the criminals in that area.

  • Peshawar students protest after schoolmate shot dead by robbers

    Peshawar students protest after schoolmate shot dead by robbers

    On Thursday, students from Edward College, Peshawar, gathered to protest against the murder of their fellow student who was killed in broad daylight on Wednesday.

    The 17-year-old student, Hasan Tariq, was on his way home after school in a rickshaw when two robbers stopped him and asked for his phone. Tariq, however, resisted, so they shot him on the spot.

    Dawn reported that the incident took place in the red zone area which encapsulates the provincial assembly, Peshawar High Court, Corps Commander House, Governor’s House and other government offices.

    The students demonstrated outside Peshawar Press Club, had closed Saddar Road for the time being, while some protested outside the provincial assembly.

    The young protesters held placards, chanted slogans, and raised concerns about the increasing crime rate in Peshawar. They also condemned the police administration and called for justice for their school-mate.

    Tariq’s parents were also present at the demonstration.

    Caretaker Chief Minister Mohammad Azam Khan has taken notice of the incident.

    According to a statement, he ordered suspension of the relevant station house officer and directed the police chief to submit a report into the student’s killing.

    “Those involved in the murder will be arrested and brought to justice,” Khan stated.

    Simultaneously, the caretaker minister for information, Feroze Jamal Shah Kakakhel, visited the Manga Dargai area of Charsadda district, the native village of Hasan Tariq.

    He also visited Edwards College and met with Principal Shujaat Ali Khan and other faculty members.

  • Sindh’s caretaker Interior Minister clarifies statement on mobile snatching

    Sindh’s caretaker Interior Minister clarifies statement on mobile snatching

    Earlier this month, while talking to the media, Sindh’s caretaker Interior Minister Brigadier (R) Haris Nawaz said that people should keep their mobile phone in a place where it cannot be stolen, or keep the mobile phone in an inner pocket.

    His comment led to trolling across social media as people deemed his statement absurd.

    The interior minister has now clarified his statement in a short video comment published by Times of Karachi.

    He stated that he meant a mobile phone can easily be snatched if it is in one’s hand instead of the pocket.

    Nonetheless, he added that no one should resist when someone tries to snatch the phone at gunpoint, and ensure the safety of one’s own family.

  • Sindh’s caretaker Interior Minister has unique solution for mobile snatching

    Sindh’s caretaker Interior Minister has unique solution for mobile snatching

    With an increase in street crimes, the caretaker Interior Minister Sindh, Brigadier (R) Haris Nawaz, has suggestions for locals as to how they should protect their valuables.

    Thefts and robberies are a major problem for the people of Karachi. The most common of the street crimes is mobile snatching.

    While talking to the media, Haris Nawaz said that people should keep the mobile phone in a place where it cannot be stolen, or keep the mobile phone in an inner pocket.

    He stated that citizens should look out for themselves by staying safe as well as help the government and the police.

    His statement led to social media asking what would the government do, if citizens are supposed to do its job.

    People react

    https://twitter.com/HishamKhan1998/status/1698970013867049247?s=20

  • Daily Crime Report: Is Lahore a safe place? Upsurge in street crime troubles Lahore

    Daily Crime Report: Is Lahore a safe place? Upsurge in street crime troubles Lahore

    It may be due to political anarchy or disability, or you can say negligence of institutes. But Lahore is not safe for roaming around late at nights or even in broad day light.

    Mobile snatchers, purse snatchers, dacoits, thieves, are everywhere and the looters are eerily common now.
    Moreover, the city’s residents feel that the Punjab Police is either devoid of solutions to curb the rising crime rate or simply does not care.

    A citizen Waqas living in Sundar has been robbed inside his office. Thieves looted Rs500,00 and mobile phone. Jahanzeb, resident of Iqbal Town, got robbed in broad day-light when dacoits snatched over Rs 2 lacs and other belongings from him.

    “it is very easy purchase illegal weapon in Punjab. If the citizen retaliates, he will be shot by dacoits so everyone protects his life first.”

    Thousands of rupees from Azam’s fast food shop in Factory area, Rs44 thousand and mobile phone from Hamza in Ichhra, Rs31 thousand and mobile phone from Yusuf in Chung, Rs35 thousand from Khalil in Iqbal Town, Rs55 thousand from Yasin in Mustafa Town, Rs65 thousand from Ghazanfar Ali in Johar Town along with mobile phone, Rs 65 thousand from Atiq Ahmed of Ravi Road.

    A resident of Shalimar was robbed of belongings worth Rs 11 lacs when robbers rushed into his house.

    With all of these street crimes, 7 cars and dozens of bikes reportedly got stolen from Gulberg area, Shahdara Town, Faisal Town, Badami Bagh or Litton Road.

    Police have no clue yet, on the cars and bikes which got stolen from different areas of Lahore.

  • We asked ChatGPT to write a story about crime in Karachi

    We asked ChatGPT to write a story about crime in Karachi

    ChatGPT is all the rage across the world, changing the landscape in more ways than one. Quickly and with ease, it has redefined everything- from writing essays, CVs, acing college exams and even penning novels!

    If ChatGPT is good at writing fiction, then can it paint a fair picture of Karachi’s street crime and give us a good short story about it? We decided to take the challenge and pitched the idea to ChatGPT and here are the results:

    “The sun had set yet the humidity in Karachi hadn’t reduced one bit. The bustling streets continued to be a buzz of traffic, street vendors, and people going about their business. However, with the rise of darkness, a sense of fear crept in the city. Crime was all too familiar, and the residents of Karachi knew to be cautious when stepping out after dark.

    One such resident of Karachi was Ali. He was an honest man, who had built a life of his own after years of struggle. From selling snacks on the streets to owning a small clothing store in one of the famous markets of Karachi, Ali had come a long way. However, his success story had come with a price. The local mafia bosses would continuously extort him, and although Ali always tried to avoid any trouble, he knew it was only a matter of time before things would go out of hand.

    One evening, as Ali was closing down his shop, he was approached by two men who stood lurking near his stall. They looked as if they were from the mafia and had an unmistakable air of danger around them. Ali knew better than to get into trouble with them and tried to avoid any conversation. However, it was too late. Before he knew it, the men had grabbed him by his collar and pulled him towards them.

    “We need the money, Ali; you’d better be quick in delivering it. We don’t want to get our hands dirty,” one of the men sneered.

    “I don’t have any money, I swear,” Ali tried to explain, hoping the men would let him go.

    “Stop lying, Ali. You think we don’t know how well your business is doing in recent times. We want our share of it, and you better do it quick,” the other man shouted.

    Ali realized he was in a sticky situation, and there was no way out. The mafia bosses wouldn’t leave him alone, but continuing to pay them would only put him and his family at risk. He needed a plan to protect himself and his loved ones.

    Despite the intimidation that he was facing, Ali remained calm and thought things through. He knew there was only one way out – to report everything to the police. But that, he knew, was easier said than done. The police had their fair share of corrupt officers, and with the mafia’s influence, it would be difficult to get any help. But Ali had no other choice. He had worked hard to build his life, and he wasn’t going to let anyone ruin it for him.

    The next day, Ali gathered all his courage and walked into the nearest police station. He narrated everything that had happened to him over the years to the police. Initially, the police officers seemed skeptical, but as Ali presented all the necessary evidence he had collected, they began to take him seriously.

    After a few weeks of investigations, the police finally made their move. Undercover officers managed to gather evidence against the mafia bosses, and with the help of Ali’s testimony, they were able to make arrests. The mafia bosses were tried in court and sentenced to jail time.

    In a single stroke, Ali had managed to rid himself of the mafia’s world and restore his business back to being his own. He felt a sense of pride for having stood up to the people who had been victimizing him for years. For the first time in a while, he felt like he had control over his life and could continue to run his business without any interference.

    As Karachi busied itself through its daily grind, Ali went on with his life, passing through the same bustling streets each day, yet with a newfound sense of confidence. The thing with crime in Karachi was that it never quite left you alone. But with the realization that he could stand up for himself, Ali knew that he had taken the first step towards taking control of his life.”