Hidden arsenals: Karachi’s struggle against illegal weapons

Millions of illegal weapons circulate in Pakistan’s largest metropolis Karachi, arming criminals, target killers, and banned outfits with shocking ease.

From pistols to high-powered rifles, the city’s illegal arms trade continues to thrive, leaving law enforcement struggling to stem the tide.

The weapon of choice for Karachi’s criminals is not heavy rifles like G3s or MP4s but the more discreet pistol.

According to police data, over 100 people have been killed this year resisting robberies, often by perpetrators wielding these illegal firearms. Every month, more than 25 cars, 600 motorcycles, and around 1,500 mobile phones are stolen at gunpoint in the city.

'Smuggled via Balochistan'

The weapons are made in Darra Adam Khel, a town in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa notorious for weapon manufacturing.

These Illegal weapons are then smuggled into Karachi primarily from Balochistan. Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) official Raja Umar Khattab told Nukta that smugglers use public buses or private cars to transport arms, often bypassing checkpoints using fake or retired law enforcement job cards.

“Smugglers pretend the weapons are for personal use,” Khattab said. “In some cases, fake credentials help them evade security scrutiny.”

Khattab added that the CTD recently dismantled an online delivery network. "Buyers could order weapons online, and dealers delivered them to their doorstep."

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sajid Sadozai acknowledged the prevalence of illegal weapons in Karachi and their role in complicating investigations.

“Crimes involving illegal weapons are harder to solve,” Sadozai explained. “The untraceable casings left at crime scenes hinder our progress.”

Efforts are underway, he said, to dismantle smuggling networks, but results have been slow.

The role of social media

One arrested street criminal shed light on the trade’s mechanics. "We rent weapons from a dealer named Ghulam Mustafa, who sources them from Hub in Balochistan," he said. "As payment, we hand over snatched phones and cash."

Illegal weapons are now just a click away. Searching terms like “Darra Adam Khel Asla” on Facebook reveals pages advertising weapons for sale. These posts include photos, videos, and contact numbers for suppliers.

“It’s like ordering pizza,” quipped one observer.

Legal arms dealer Mehmood Khaki, with 30 years of experience, dismissed accusations that licensed sellers participate in the illegal trade. "Licensed dealers follow strict regulations," Khaki said. "Illegal arms enter the market through smuggling, not legal channels."

Karachi remains inundated with illegal weapons, fueling crime and insecurity. While authorities intensify efforts, public cooperation and stringent checks at transit points are critical to curb this menace. For now, however, the city grapples with a problem that continues to outgun its solutions.