Karachi moves beyond years of violence as security situation improves

Karachi has long been a city defined by contrasts - Pakistan’s economic engine on one hand, and a metropolis burdened by deep-rooted civic and security challenges on the other.

While its residents continue to grapple with problems such as water shortages, mounting waste, traffic congestion, crumbling infrastructure and corruption, there is one area where signs of improvement are beginning to emerge: law and order.

In the latest episode of On My Radar, Kamran Khan said Karachi’s hardships have been a recurring subject of discussion, but this time the focus was on a relatively encouraging development — the city’s improving security environment.

The shift marks a significant departure from the past, when Karachi was not only a city of traffic-clogged roads, but one where fear moved just as freely through its streets.

There was a time when journalists began their day not by writing the news, but by counting the dead — and by evening, that count often seemed endless.

At one point, running a business in Karachi without paying extortion was widely seen as nearly impossible. Foreign investors regarded the city as a high-risk market, and international reports repeatedly ranked it among the world’s most dangerous urban centers, at one stage placing it as high as sixth globally.

Those years left deep scars on the city’s identity. But today, those wounds appear to be gradually healing.

Karachi is now increasingly being viewed as a city where security challenges persist, but no longer in a way that completely paralyzes public life or the broader system.

Perhaps the most significant change has been the sharp decline in terrorism-related threats. Targeted killings, sectarian violence and politically motivated attacks are no longer part of the city’s daily reality in the way they once were.

Data from the police and the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) point to encouraging trends, suggesting measurable improvements in crime and public safety.

The gains are not limited to Karachi alone. Across interior Sindh, particularly in the riverine “katcha” areas, law enforcement operations have led to a noticeable reduction in highway crime and dacoit activity.

According to logistics companies, transportation across several districts in Sindh has become considerably safer than in previous years, improving supply chain confidence and mobility.

At the same time, the corporate risk landscape has evolved. For businesses today, the primary threats are no longer terrorism, but street crime, fraud and employee safety concerns.

Cybercrime, in particular, has emerged as a fast-growing challenge. Fake invoicing, AI-generated voice fraud, email hacking and payment scams are increasingly becoming major concerns for companies operating across the province.

Despite these risks, business circles have acknowledged improvements in policing capacity.

The installation of Safe City surveillance cameras, intelligence-led operations and stronger coordination between police and Rangers have all contributed to a more effective response against criminal activity.

Overall, the law and order situation in Karachi and across Sindh appears to have moved beyond the severe crises of the past, entering a phase where challenges remain — but where clear signs of improvement, resilience and greater stability are increasingly visible.

To assess the broader security landscape and the city’s evolving challenges, Sindh Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho speaks to Kamran Khan in detail in this episode of On My Radar.