Karachi reported more than 4,700 street-crime incidents in November 2025, marking one of the highest monthly totals of the year and raising serious concerns about urban safety across Pakistan’s largest city.
Residents in various districts said the spike has created a sense of fear and uncertainty, with many people now avoiding unnecessary travel, especially during evening hours.
Police sources confirmed that the majority of the incidents involved mobile-phone snatching, motorcycle theft, and armed robberies at commercial hotspots.
Officials added that criminals have increasingly adopted hit-and-run tactics, targeting citizens within seconds before fleeing toward narrow streets and congested routes where quick pursuit becomes difficult for law enforcement.
The surge in November comes despite earlier claims by authorities that crime levels had been declining due to increased patrolling and intelligence-based operations.
However, the latest figures suggest that street-crime networks remain active and adaptive, taking advantage of weak prosecution and limited CCTV coverage in several localities.
Residents in areas such as Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Federal B Area, Defence, Korangi, and Saddar reported repeated incidents throughout the month.
Many expressed frustration that even busy markets and traffic signals remain unsafe, with snatching incidents occurring in broad daylight and often in plain sight of pedestrians and commuters.
Security officials said multiple operations were conducted in November, resulting in arrests and recoveries, but admitted that the city’s overall crime challenge requires more coordinated efforts.
Experts warn that economic pressures, unemployment, and the slow justice process contribute to the persistence of street crimes, allowing offenders to return to criminal activity shortly after being detained.
The November numbers have intensified public calls for stronger policing, improved street surveillance systems, and community-based safety initiatives.
Citizens say they want consistent enforcement rather than temporary crackdowns, as Karachi’s economic and social stability depends heavily on restoring everyday security.
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