Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sindh, Javed Alam Odho, has declared that the Kacha Area will be cleared of bandits by the coming month, following an intensified operation that has resulted in the deaths of 32 dacoits and the apprehension or surrender of over 325 others since January.
He made these remarks while addressing a gathering of prominent business leaders and senior police officials at the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), expressing confidence that the operation, codenamed ‘Nijat e-Mehran’, would soon enable citizens to travel through the region safely with their families, according to a report today.
The provincial police chief also highlighted a significant decline in street crime across Karachi over the past year, citing Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) data. He reported a 55% drop in motorcycle snatching, a 45% reduction in car thefts, and a 35% decrease in mobile phone snatching incidents.
While acknowledging that approximately 16,500 mobile phones were snatched in the city last year, Odho noted the figure was considerably lower than the 84,000 incidents reportedly occurring annually in London. He added that murders committed during armed robberies had fallen by up to 80 per cent, indicating an improving law and order situation.
To further bolster security, Odho announced that the Safe City project”s second phase is underway, involving the installation of 2,225 advanced surveillance cameras equipped with facial recognition technology. He also mentioned plans to repair 100 police mobile units and provide additional vehicles to four police stations covering the Korangi industrial area on a priority basis.
Recognising the success of a joint task force formed with the industrial community, the IGP stated that its meetings would now be convened monthly at his office. He urged for greater public cooperation, stating that police efforts alone are insufficient to combat crime effectively.
Odho identified drug addiction as a major catalyst for crime and called on business associations and other institutions to establish functional rehabilitation centres to help reintegrate affected individuals into society.
Earlier, KATI President Muhammad Ikram Rajput paid tribute to the sacrifices of Sindh Police personnel but stressed that street crime remains a significant concern for both industrialists and citizens. He underscored the critical need for a secure environment to sustain economic activity.
Rajput described the Safe City project as a potential “game changer” for the province and called for improvements in police investigation standards, highlighting that a transparent and robust system is essential for delivering justice.
KATI”s Deputy Patron-in-Chief, Zubair Chhaya, noted the economic significance of the area, revealing that it contributes 9% to Pakistan”s total exports. He credited the joint task force with effectively countering blackmail attempts against business owners. Other speakers, including Khalid Tawab and Danish Khan, acknowledged the security improvements while calling for continued reforms and stricter traffic regulation.