Islamabad has emerged as Pakistan’s safest major city after securing the lowest Crime Index in the latest Numbeo Crime Index 2026 Mid-Year Rankings. The federal capital outperformed other major urban centers, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi, reinforcing its reputation as one of the country’s most secure places to live and visit.
According to the latest figures published by Numbeo, Islamabad recorded a Crime Index of 30.8, the lowest among Pakistani cities included in the global survey. Lahore followed with a score of 36.2, while Rawalpindi recorded 52.0. Karachi ranked highest among Pakistan’s major cities with a Crime Index of 57.6.
The Numbeo Crime Index compares perceived crime levels in more than 400 cities around the world. Unlike official government crime statistics, the rankings are based on surveys completed by residents and visitors, providing insight into how safe people feel in their respective cities.
The report also placed Islamabad and Lahore ahead of several internationally recognized cities, indicating lower perceived crime levels than many major global capitals and metropolitan areas.
Among the cities ranked below Islamabad and Lahore in terms of safety perceptions are Mexico City, Dhaka, Washington, Kuala Lumpur, New Delhi, Paris, Tehran, London, Los Angeles, Jakarta, New York, Cairo, Istanbul, Rome, Berlin, Mumbai, Toronto, and Bangkok.
The rankings suggest that respondents consider Islamabad and Lahore to offer a comparatively safer environment than many of these well-known international cities.
Numbeo explained that its Crime Index is designed to measure public perception rather than actual recorded crime. The survey evaluates how respondents feel about crime in their city and whether they believe safety has improved or deteriorated over time.
The index considers multiple factors, including overall crime levels, safety while walking alone during both daytime and nighttime, concerns about robbery, theft, burglary, assault, vehicle theft, vandalism, and other forms of property crime.
It also measures perceptions regarding violent crimes, corruption, discrimination, drug-related issues, and public disorder. Responses are collected from thousands of users worldwide and updated regularly to reflect changing public opinion.
Because the rankings rely on survey responses instead of official law enforcement data, Numbeo emphasizes that the index should be viewed as a measure of public sentiment rather than an exact representation of crime statistics.
Despite this distinction, the rankings remain widely referenced by travelers, businesses, researchers, and expatriates seeking an overview of perceived safety in cities around the world.
Islamabad’s strong performance highlights the impact of continuous investments in urban planning, law enforcement, surveillance systems, and public security initiatives over recent years. The city has increasingly become a preferred destination for government institutions, international organizations, diplomats, students, and businesses due to its relatively peaceful environment.
Lahore’s placement as Pakistan’s second-safest major city also reflects improvements in public security and policing, while Rawalpindi and Karachi continue implementing various measures aimed at reducing crime and strengthening law enforcement.
Security experts note that although perception-based surveys differ from official crime data, they provide valuable insights into public confidence and residents’ overall sense of safety, which play an important role in tourism, investment, and economic activity.
The latest rankings are expected to boost Islamabad’s image internationally while encouraging authorities in other cities to continue improving public safety through better policing, technology-driven surveillance, community engagement, and effective crime prevention strategies.
As Pakistan continues investing in urban development and security reforms, officials hope that more cities will improve their standing in future global safety rankings.
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