KARACHI — August 7, 2025
Karachi’s persistent street crime problem shows no signs of slowing down, as the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) released its monthly report for July 2025, painting a grim picture of law and order in Pakistan’s largest city.
According to the report, a total of 3,859 motorcycles were either stolen or snatched during the month. Of these, 502 were snatched at gunpoint, while another 3,357 were reported stolen from various localities across the city. The surge in two-wheeler thefts highlights the continuing vulnerability of citizens, especially daily wage earners and delivery riders who rely heavily on motorbikes for their livelihoods.
Street criminals also made away with 1,603 mobile phones in July, adding to the growing sense of insecurity among Karachiites. In addition, 22 vehicles were snatched and 197 were stolen, further underlining the city’s deteriorating crime situation.
The report didn’t just stop at theft and snatching. One kidnapping for ransom and five cases of extortion were also reported in the same month, raising concerns about the resurgence of organized crime networks.
Perhaps most alarming, however, is the number of fatalities linked to violence. At least 52 people lost their lives in gun-related incidents during July alone — a stark reminder of the dangers ordinary citizens face while navigating the city.
The July figures follow an already concerning trend from earlier this year. A previous CPLC report revealed that 22,627 criminal cases were recorded in Karachi in just the first quarter of 2024.
Between January and March 2024:
- 59 people were killed while resisting robberies
- Over 700 others were injured
- 373 cars, 15,968 motorcycles, and 6,102 mobile phones were either snatched or stolen
- 25 extortion cases and five kidnappings for ransom were also documented
- A total of 154 lives were lost in various violent incidents during those three months
Despite repeated reassurances from law enforcement agencies, the numbers tell a sobering tale Karachi’s citizens remain at the mercy of armed robbers and street gangs, while the authorities continue to grapple with mounting crime and a shaken public trust.
