Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah chaired a high-level meeting on law and order today, which was also attended by provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, and Riaz Shah Shirazi, along with Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho, Home Secretary Iqbal Memon, and senior officials of the Home Department, law enforcement agencies, and other relevant institutions.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that no negligence in maintaining law and order would be tolerated, emphasizing that the protection of citizens’ lives and property is the government’s foremost responsibility. He reaffirmed that there would be no leniency towards criminals and directed authorities to further strengthen operations against terrorists, drug traffickers, and extortionists, while urging all law enforcement agencies to continue working in close coordination.
The Chief Minister was given a detailed briefing on the province’s overall security situation. Officials informed the meeting that Sindh recorded a significant fall in serious crimes, terrorism, and street crime during the first six months of 2026. The improvement in law and order was attributed to intelligence-based policing, effective inter-agency cooperation, and targeted operations. The Chief Minister instructed police and security agencies to make intelligence-based operations more effective and expeditious.
According to the briefing, murder cases declined by 17.3 percent between January and June 2026, while murders committed during robberies fell by 19.4 percent. Robberies resulting in injuries dropped by 25.4 percent, and incidents of robbery and highway banditry decreased by 18.9 percent. Car snatching cases declined by 23.9 percent, motorcycle snatching by 31.1 percent, and motorcycle theft by 22.1 percent. The Chief Minister observed that the substantial reduction in crime reflected the effectiveness of the police strategy but directed officials to pay special attention to the increasing incidents of mobile phone snatching.
The meeting was informed that overall street crime in Karachi decreased by 11.77 percent during the reporting period. Deaths occurring during robberies declined by 38.3 percent, while injuries during such incidents fell by 39.1 percent. Car snatching incidents in Karachi decreased by 24.3 percent and motorcycle snatching by 27.8 percent. The Chief Minister directed authorities to intensify operations against identified street crime hotspots across the city.
Officials also briefed the Chief Minister on police operations, stating that 2,184 police encounters took place during the first six months of 2026 compared to 1,574 during the corresponding period last year. Sindh Police dismantled 1,087 criminal gangs during the period, while 187 dangerous suspects were killed and thousands of suspects arrested. A large cache of illegal weapons, including pistols, revolvers, and other firearms, was also recovered during the operations.
On anti-narcotics efforts, the meeting was informed that police conducted 7,027 raids against drug traffickers, leading to the arrest of 9,096 suspects and the registration of 7,468 cases. Large quantities of heroin, hashish, crystal meth, and liquor were seized. Authorities further informed the meeting that special operations are underway against drug dealers operating around educational institutions and through online drug networks. The Chief Minister directed that indiscriminate action against drug traffickers and their facilitators should continue.
Regarding action against extortionists, officials stated that 81 percent of extortion cases in Karachi had been traced. Several notorious extortion gangs were dismantled and numerous suspects arrested, while four Interpol Red Notices were issued against absconding extortionists residing abroad.
The Counter-Terrorism Department informed the meeting that terrorism incidents in Sindh had declined by 75 percent in 2026. The CTD carried out 777 intelligence-based operations, resulting in the arrest of 355 terrorists and criminal elements, including members of banned organizations. Significant quantities of explosives and weapons were also recovered during these operations. The Chief Minister directed authorities to further intensify action against terrorists and their facilitators.
The meeting was also briefed on Operation Nijat-e-Mehran in the riverine areas. Officials said that substantial successes had been achieved, with 141 police encounters conducted over the last six months, resulting in the deaths of 275 dacoits. Hundreds of arrests were made, hostages were rescued, and heavy weapons were recovered. A total of 550 dacoits have either been arrested or surrendered as operations continue in the riverine belt.
Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar informed the meeting that more than 2,000 Chinese nationals are being provided comprehensive security across Sindh. He said security arrangements for Chinese citizens working on projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and other initiatives are being continuously reviewed. The Chief Minister directed authorities to ensure foolproof security for Chinese nationals, foreign diplomatic missions, and sensitive installations.
The meeting was further briefed on the Sindh Safe City and Smart Surveillance initiatives. The officials said that 1,325 modern cameras had been installed under the first phase of the Karachi Safe City Project. The system has significantly assisted in the arrest of suspects, recovery of stolen vehicles, and criminal investigations. Under the Rs1.4 billion Sindh Smart Surveillance System, 381 cameras have been installed at 40 toll plazas, helping authorities arrest 496 suspects and impound 349 vehicles.
On highway and traffic security, officials informed the Chief Minister that the Sindh Police Highway Patrol is active across 2,150 kilometers of highways. More than 1.24 million digital traffic challans have been issued under the TRACS system, which has contributed to a 44 percent reduction in traffic accidents, a 19 percent decline in fatalities, and a 27 percent decrease in injuries. The Chief Minister reiterated that providing safety and facilities to travelers remains a key priority of his government.
The meeting also reviewed border security arrangements. The officials stated that security had been tightened at 139 crossing points across Sindh, while police checkpoints, snap-checking, and mobile and motorcycle patrols have been increased. Security measures at major inter-provincial border points, including Hub-Karachi, Jamshoro-Hub, Dadu-Khuzdar, Kashmore-Dera Bugti-Rajanpur, Ghotki-Rahim Yar Khan, and coastal areas, have been reviewed. The Chief Minister directed authorities to further strengthen surveillance at inter-provincial borders and expand the use of modern technology.
Concluding the meeting, the Chief Minister said that ensuring peace, stability, and the protection of the people throughout Sindh remains the government’s highest priority.