KARACHI:

Karachi has always managed to top the rankings of street crime in Pakistan. After being controlled for a few years, street crime is making a comeback for every citizen of Karachi. Almost every citizen has experienced or heard of incidents in which threats at gunpoint have been made during mugging attempts. According to the final report of the year 2016, 18,000 first information reports were filed for the snatching of valuables including money, cell phones and transportation vehicles. The report also says that there were an estimated 34,000 mobile phones snatched from the streets of Karachi. Citizens are given threats with a gun on their heads and are sometimes even shot after forcefully taking away their valuables. The data in the report further reveals 60 high-alert areas across the city where street robberies have risen to the extreme. The matter being serious, the chief minister had ordered the administration to carry out an operation against street crime. The Citizen-Police Liaison Committee has still not taken enough measures to curb the daily ongoing street crime.

There should be a proper check on licensed guns and the ones being used illegally should be taken away. The police department should keep a regular check on the streets especially mentioned for having vast street crimes. Muggers should be arrested immediately and the weapons and motorbikes being used by them should be taken into custody by the police department. As other social crimes have slightly decreased, the police should be attentive and active towards this issue. They should instantly start operations against street criminals and fulfil their duties to make Karachi prosperous again.