KARACHI: Additional Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Karachi Azad Khan has reaffirmed Karachi Police’s zero-tolerance policy against extortion, assuring the business community that safeguarding Karachi’s commercial and industrial activities remains one of the highest priorities of the Sindh Police.
Speaking during a meeting at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) on Tuesday, the AIGP said protecting Karachi, the country’s economic hub, is synonymous with protecting Pakistan’s economy. The meeting was attended by DIG Traffic Pir Muhammad Shah, Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) Zubair Motiwala, Vice Chairman BMG Anjum Nisar, KCCI President Rehan Hanif, Senior Vice President Muhammad Raza, Vice President Arif Lakhani, Chairman Law & Order Subcommittee Akram Rana, Chief Police Chamber Liaison Committee (PCLC) Hafeez Aziz, KCCI Executive Committee members, and senior police officials.
Azad Khan said terrorism, extortion, and street crime remain the foremost challenges for law enforcement agencies. However, he noted that Karachi Police, in close coordination with intelligence agencies and other security institutions, has significantly strengthened preventive policing, leading to a noticeable reduction in major crimes across the city.
He reiterated that Karachi Police would continue its uncompromising action against extortionists, land grabbers, narcotics networks, and organised criminal groups.
Highlighting improvements in the security situation, the AIGP revealed that terrorism-related incidents in Sindh had dropped from 37 during the corresponding period last year to just eight this year, with no major terrorist incident reported. He attributed the decline to proactive intelligence gathering, preventive operations, and effective coordination among law enforcement agencies.
Discussing street crime, Azad Khan acknowledged it remains a significant challenge but shared statistics indicating that overall street crime declined by approximately 15 percent during the first six months of the current year compared to the same period last year.
According to the police chief, robbery-cum-murder incidents fell by nearly 30 percent, injuries during robberies declined by 40 percent, vehicle snatching decreased by around 30 percent, while motorcycle and vehicle thefts were reduced by almost 20 percent. Although mobile phone snatching recorded a slight increase, he said the overall crime trend reflected substantial improvement.
On extortion, Azad Khan declared it among the highest operational priorities of Karachi Police. During the first six months of the year, nine extortionists were killed in police encounters, around 15 were injured, and 61 suspects were arrested, he disclosed.
The AIGP also urged businesses and citizens not to provide employment or shelter to undocumented foreign nationals, particularly illegal Afghan immigrants, saying the federal government’s policy was being implemented rigorously.
DIG Traffic Pir Muhammad Shah informed participants that recently introduced technology-driven traffic reforms had produced encouraging results. He said fatalities involving heavy vehicles had declined by 40 percent, while the new system had prevented around 60 deaths and saved nearly 217 people from serious injuries or permanent disabilities.
He further announced that Karachi Traffic Police had initiated the city’s first comprehensive scientific study on traffic congestion to assess travel times on major roads during peak hours, with the findings expected to support long-term traffic management and engineering solutions.
Chairman BMG Zubair Motiwala emphasised that while citywide law and order remains important, greater attention should be given to traders operating in Karachi’s traditional commercial centres, including Jodia Bazaar and the Cloth Market, where security concerns, encroachments, traffic congestion, and administrative issues continue to affect business activities.
He also called for fair and transparent anti-encroachment operations, appointment of dedicated police focal persons for market associations, and the introduction of an online FIR registration system to improve public access and efficiency.
Vice Chairman BMG Anjum Nisar praised Karachi Police for maintaining regular engagement with the business community, saying constructive dialogue between law enforcement agencies and stakeholders is essential for promoting economic growth and investment.
KCCI President Rehan Hanif acknowledged that Karachi’s law and order situation has improved significantly compared to four or five years ago but stressed that street crime remains a serious concern. He urged police to adopt a more aggressive strategy against street criminals and described the Safe City Project as a vital initiative, saying expanded camera surveillance across the metropolis would strengthen crime prevention, improve investigations, and boost public confidence.
