Karachi grapples with a sharp rise in crime this year as police personnel themselves face deadly attacks while some of them are also being found complicit in serious criminal activities — all amidst a surge in street crime incidents that continue to plague the city on a daily basis.
According to official data, at least 12 policemen have been killed so far in 2025 in targeted attacks, encounters and other incidents across the city, the responsibility of many of which was claimed by banned militant outfits. Investigators say several of these attacks were made to spread terror, though others were driven by personal enmity and disputes.
The Malir, Korangi, Central and West districts of the city recorded the highest number of casualties, while District East remained the only area without any killing of police personnel.
Police record shows that two police officials were killed during encounters or robbery resistance, whereas, eight FIRs were registered under anti-terrorism laws. In one high-profile case of the murder of a police technician in Awami Colony, investigators added the Section 109 and nominated multiple suspects.
Fresh incidents in recent weeks included attacks in Steel Town and Bin Qasim, where banned organisations claimed responsibility of attack of police officials on social media, though investigators noted that such groups often made false claims for publicity.
The investigators linked the Steel Town killing of an assistant sub-inspector with his role in a past encounter, confirming one arrest while five suspects remain at large. Officials stress that Karachi police are caught between banned groups and expanding criminal networks.
Adding to the crisis, Sindh police personnel themselves stand accused of deep involvement in criminal activities as 291 cases have so far been registered this year against 336 officers and constables of the police across the province for crimes ranging from kidnapping for ransom and extortion to smuggling and staging fake encounters.
Of the cops named in the FIRs, 174 have been arrested, 249 suspended, and 22 dismissed from service, while 12 remain at large and 149 are out on bail. One case was registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act along with 15 cases of kidnapping for ransom, 14 of extortion, and 11 of fake encounters.
Zone-wise data of Karachi shows that a total of 37 cops were nominated in such FIRs in the East Zone. Of them, 13 were accused of involvement in extortion cases. Of those 37 cops, 21 were arrested, 21 suspended and five dismissed.
In the West Zone of the city, eight police officials were nominated in FIRs. Of them seven obtained bail, one was suspended and one dismissed.
Of the 19 cops nominated in FIRs in the South Zone, 18 were suspended, 14 arrested, four obtained bail, and one has been absconding.
The figures also remained grim outside Karachi as 77 cops were nominated in FIRs in the Hyderabad Range, 63 in the Larkana Range, 57 in the Shaheed Benazirabad Range, 51 in the Sukkur Range, and 24 in the Mirpurkhas Range, with dozens arrested, suspended or dismissed.
Meanwhile, ordinary citizens continue to suffer due to rampant street crime. From January to August 2025, a staggering 43,419 street crime cases were reported from Karachi. At least 60 people were killed and 216 injured while resisting robberies, though police record acknowledges only 53 deaths.
In the eight-month period of 2025, 11,268 mobile phones were snatched, 1,430 cars stolen or snatched, and 30,721 motorcycles lifted in the provincial capital.
The daily average stands at 46.37 mobile phones, 5.88 cars, and 126.42 motorcycles lost to criminals every day.
Comparative data shows a slight dip from the last year, when 49,615 street crime incidents were reported during the same period, leaving 78 people dead and 310 injured.
Experts warn that the convergence of militancy, organised crime and police corruption poses an unprecedented challenge to law enforcement. With the citizens caught in the crossfire of street violence and trust in the police eroding, Karachi’s security crisis appears more entrenched than ever.