I am a resident of the city that was once considered the “city of lights". People felt safe walking on the street any time of the day even at late night.
Gatherings were held outside houses and people had no fear of being robbed or murdered.
Then there came a time when target killing and homicide became the talk of the town. Street crimes, kidnapping and robbing in the houses was like the child play.
There was a little decline in homicide over the course of the time. However, overall crime didn’t vanish.
In the contemporary era, Karachi is the city of light only on papers. No area of the city is safe. Street crimes are at its peak.
According to the report of the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC)
during the first four months of 2023 alone, nearly 19,000 motorcycles were snatched or stolen, with only 1,069 recovered............ 9,464 citizens were deprived of their cell phones during the first four months of 2023, out of which only 161 were recovered. In addition, 754 vehicles were snatched and only 211 were recovered.......... As many as 186 people lost their lives while resisting robbery bids and other incidents, while several others sustained wounds.
These are merely the number of cases that are reported one way or the other. The number of original incidences are much higher. Credit goes to the corrupt government and bad governance.
I, my family and people in my surroundings have themselves encountered and witnessed instances of crime.
Once, I returned home taking my son back from school. I was standing just in front of the gate, waiting for the gate to open.
I was holding my clutch in my hand. Only a few seconds had passed standing there while I felt like the clutch was being pulled out of my hand.
The first thought came to my mind that my son was pulling it. As I turned my head to deal with what was happening, the clutch was no more in my hand.
I saw a teenager running towards the bike and the two guys ran away.
Thankfully, I had spent the greater portion of the money in buying the course of the school. Had the incident happen while going to the school. The loss would be bigger.
Once my brother-in-law bought a brand new bike. Only after three days of the purchase the bike was picked right in front of the gate of our house.
Once my husband and his brother were robbed at gun point when they were coming back from work.
Once my clutch was picked out of my hand bag in the market. I don’t know when and how it happened. I only got to know when I put my hand in the bag to take the clutch out for making the payment.
Once I went to a general store and made payment there. The shopkeeper seeing a gold ring in my finger asked if I was new in the area. I replied that I live just a few steps away.
He replied, “Are you not aware of the insecurity of this vicinity! You shouldn’t be wearing precious metal outside your home if you want your life and assets to be safe.”
His fear and advice made perfect sense to me. He was the one who was robbed thrice while doing business in his shop.
Lately, my sister-in-law witnessed a robbery at a local bakery.
These are a few instances of crime in my area. The whole city is facing these crimes everyday.
There is no specific time for the crimes to happen. The day time is as unsafe as the night.
It feels like the criminals are keeping an eye for the opportunity. The avail as soon as they find one.
It is because of this reason that I don’t go out for a morning walk. I fear of being kidnapped.
I wish my city and area to become safe again so that people may be out of their homes without fear. Nevertheless, honestly speaking, it doesn’t seem to happen, at least in the near future.
May God save us all......
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This is my participation for Hive Learner’s Featured Contest.