Karachi: Over 500 women, underage girls sexually abused in 2023

In 2023, Karachiites faced hundreds of unfortunate incidents, ranging from road accidents to sexual assaults. Authorities reported the number of Karachiites who suffered injuries and, sadly, lost their lives, along with an increase in violent deaths.

A report cited police surgeon Summaiya Syed, who disclosed that 522 women and young girls experienced sexual assault in the year 2023.

“She said that 4,042 cases of physical assault on women were reported in the outgoing year,” the report mentioned.

The Edhi Foundation, a prominent humanitarian organisation in Karachi, painted a sobering picture of the city in 2023 through its data on tragic deaths. The charity organsiation revealed that 248 lives were tragically cut short by torture, while 23 succumbed to gas/cylinder explosions and other incidents. At least 180 men and women committed suicide. Thirteen lives were lost on train tracks, and 23 perished in fire-related accidents.

119 individuals met their end due to electrocution. As many as 191 lives were claimed by drowning in different incidents throughout the year.

Karachi witnessed a concerning 15% increase in violent deaths in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to data from the Edhi Foundation. 

The organisation reported a total of 714 individuals were fatally shot, while 3,022 sustained bullet wounds throughout the year.

Karachi's roads proved deadly for motorcyclists in 2023, with 63 per cent of all traffic accident casualties involving them. Over 750 lives were lost and 11,000 injured in Karachi's traffic nightmare last year. A shocking 224 cases of infanticide reported across the city.

Throughout Sindh, police engaged in over 3,100 operations until December 29th, leading to the arrest of 1,726 criminal gang members and the tragic loss of 21 officers in the line of duty.

Sindh Rangers conducted 163 operations against dangerous criminals and apprehended 197 high-profile suspects belonging to banned groups and criminal networks.