Karachi’s ongoing battle with street crime claimed another life as a man was shot dead during a robbery attempt in the Defense area of the city. According to rescue officials, the incident took place on 26th Street in Defense, where the victim, Muhammad Saeed, was targeted by assailants while standing after withdrawing cash. Eyewitnesses reported that as Saeed noticed someone approaching, he stepped aside. However, the robbers, who were riding a motorcycle, attempted to rob him. The victim resisted, leading to the assailants firing 4-5 shots before fleeing the scene. Muhammad Saeed succumbed to his injuries, marking another tragic loss in the ongoing rise of street crimes in Karachi. This is the latest in a string of violent robberies that have plagued the city. In a similar incident on October 24th, a man was gunned down by muggers in the Ahsanabad area near the Site Superhighway. The victim had been returning home after selling his wife’s jewelry to fund his daughter’s medical treatment. He was shot three times during the robbery, which ended with the assailants fleeing the scene. According to the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) report released in August 2024, Karachi has seen a dramatic increase in street crimes. A total of 5,960 incidents were reported in just one month, with a sharp rise in vehicle thefts. The report highlighted the theft of 23 cars at gunpoint and the theft of 150 cars overall. Motorcycles were also targeted, with 656 stolen, and a staggering 3,385 motorcycle thefts reported across the city.
