Street crime in Karachi dropped by 11.77% in past six months, CM told

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah was informed on Monday that major crimes, terrorism-related incidents and street crime declined across the province during the first six months of 2026.

Chairing a law and order meeting at the Chief Minister House, CM Murad Ali Shah reviewed the province's security situation, crime trends, counterterrorism efforts, anti-narcotics operations, action in katcha areas and the progress of surveillance projects, including the Safe City Project and Sindh Smart Surveillance System (S4).

IG Police Javed Alam Odho told the meeting that, compared with the first half of 2025, murders fell by 17.3%, robbery-murders by 19.4%, robberies causing injuries by 25.4%, dacoities and robberies by 18.9%, car snatching by 23.9%, motorcycle snatching by 31.1% and motorcycle theft by 22.1%.

However, he said incidents of mobile phone snatching had increased and required greater attention.

Additional IG Karachi Azad Khan said overall street crime in Karachi dropped by 11.77% during the same period. Deaths during robbery incidents declined by 38.3%, injuries by 39.1%, vehicle snatching by 24.3% and motorcycle snatching by 27.8%.

The meeting was also informed that Sindh Police conducted 2,184 police encounters in the first half of 2026, compared with 1,574 during the same period last year. Police dismantled 1,087 criminal gangs, killed 187 suspected criminals during operations and arrested thousands of suspects.

Recoveries of illegal weapons, including pistols, revolvers and other firearms, also increased as part of the ongoing crackdown on criminal groups.