Karachi struggles with rising street crime, critically low conviction rate

A total of 1,355 cases of street crime were disposed of by Karachi courts in 2024, but the accused were convicted in measly 83 of them. The conviction rate was alarmingly low at just 6.13 per cent -- a worrying trend that, according to legal experts, persists due to a number of factors, including flawed investigation, weak prosecution, and lack of concrete evidence.

Official statistics show that 1,272 cases saw acquittals, accounting for 93.87 per cent of the cases disposed of. There were 2,921 cases pending by December-end.

In comparison, 2,583 cases were disposed of in 2023 with convictions secured in only 283 cases. The conviction rate was just 10.96 per cent, while 2,300 cases or 89.04 per cent saw acquittals.

District-wise data for 2024 shows different conviction rates in five Karachi districts. In District East, 444 street crime cases were disposed of, but only 42 — 9.46% — ended in convictions, while the rest resulted in acquittals. Malir courts decided 398 cases, securing convictions in just 9 (2.26%).

In District West, 219 cases were disposed of, with only 7 (3.20%) leading to convictions and 212 ending in acquittals. District Central courts disposed of 159 cases, convicting accused in just 9 (5.66%) cases, while 150 resulted in acquittals.

District South courts decided 135 cases, of which only 16 (11.85%) ended in convictions, while 119 resulted in acquittals.

Legal expert Shaukat Hayat attributes the low conviction rate to the failure of three key pillars of the criminal justice system — the police, prosecution, and courts — to fulfil their responsibilities.

He said that the police's failure to conduct proper investigation and gather evidence was the main factor. "If the investigation is conducted properly and evidence is collected, the question of acquittal does not arise," he added.

The senior lawyer highlighted that the prosecution is responsible for conducting scrutiny of the charge sheet submitted by the police after the investigation is completed, but it fails to fulfil this duty, leaving flaws unaddressed.

He opines that any competent lawyer can use these defects to frustrate the prosecution's case.

Furthermore, he points out that sometimes, the complainant is summoned so frequently that they become frustrated and stop pursuing their case, which also results in the acquittal of accused.

He said that at times, innocent people are also implicated alongside genuine criminals, which also weakens the case.