KARACHI: Karachi witnessed a sharp rise in street crime incidents during March 2026, raising serious concerns about public safety in the metropolitan city. According to a report released by the Citizens Police Liaison Committee, thousands of citizens were affected by theft, snatching, and other criminal activities throughout the month.
The data revealed that a total of 3,027 motorcycles were stolen, while an additional 440 were snatched at gunpoint. Mobile phone snatching also remained a major concern, with 1,265 devices reported stolen from citizens across different areas of Karachi. Car theft cases were also significant, with 140 vehicles stolen and 17 snatched during the same period.
In addition to property crimes, the city recorded 44 murder cases in March, along with six incidents of extortion and one kidnapping for ransom. Despite the alarming trend, no cases of bank robbery were reported, offering a slight relief in the overall crime landscape.
The rising crime rate has prompted authorities to accelerate efforts to improve law enforcement and surveillance. In response, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has approved Phase-II of the Karachi Safe City Project, aimed at strengthening urban security infrastructure through modern technology.
Under the initiative, more than 2,300 smart surveillance cameras will be installed across the city. These include cameras equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and facial recognition systems to enhance monitoring and crime detection. The project will also feature mobile surveillance units and dedicated traffic monitoring systems to improve overall law enforcement efficiency.
Officials stated that the expansion of the Safe City Project is a critical step toward curbing street crime and ensuring public safety. Authorities believe that the integration of advanced surveillance technology will help identify criminal networks and respond more effectively to incidents.
The recent surge in crime highlights the need for coordinated efforts between law enforcement agencies and the government to restore public confidence. Citizens have also called for stricter policing and quicker response times to address the growing security challenges in Karachi.
