There is little debate left about Karachi's liveability as it plunges further into disorder every year, especially when compared with other big cities of Pakistan. However, one question remains perpetually unanswered: do citizens get the government they deserve, or does the government instigate citizens into living anarchically? Regardless of the answer, it comes as no surprise that an inflation-ridden land with barely any social protection is, according to the Citizens Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), reporting an uptick in crime and a deteriorating law and order situation.
Alarming Crime Statistics
Recent statistics revealed by the CPLC highlight an alarming trend in terms of snatchings, thefts, and even murders. To illustrate, while there were 7,308 motorcycles stolen or snatched in the first five months of 2025, the same period in 2026 witnessed a staggering 16,031 such incidents. This represents an almost 120% surge, reflecting the growing frustrations of a society so deeply embedded in helplessness and misery that it sees no choice other than to condemn others to the same fate.
Law Enforcement Challenges
But perpetrators aside, the law enforcement agencies in Karachi appear to be steeped in that same helplessness, which ostensibly prevents them from doing their jobs. Perhaps it is the condition of the roads that deters them from following criminals and carrying out due process. Or perhaps it is heatwave-induced confusion that makes them take wads of cash instead of filing a charge sheet. Whatever the reason, Karachi seems to be operating without a functional framework for law and order.
Towards State Accountability
The persistence of street crime in this city is gradually being recognized as its culture, but that is dangerous territory. Conversations must again shift away from individual protection and instead towards state accountability. The people of Karachi deserve better than this sense of fear they carry around like a pocketknife.
