NORTH Karachi is a huge locality that is populated mostly by people of lower socio-economic category. As it happens, the entire area — every nook and corner of it — is extremely unsafe because people get mugged in broad daylight right outside their homes. Unfortunately, street crimes have remained uncontrollable for a very long time, and the phenomenon has seen a serious uptick in recent months.

People from the privileged classes can hire security guards, but this is only a fantasy for those barely earning their bread and butter. Whenever an incident is reported, or something goes particularly wrong, like shooting resulting in an injury or even death, personnel of law-enforcement agencies come to stand guard on that particular spot only to show their existence. Even this ‘protection’ lasts no more than a day or two. This has become a routine practice.

The residents want nothing but an end to this worsening situation, and that cannot happen without the deployment of law-enforcement personnel across the area. Merely standing on the main roads does nothing to ensure the safety of the locals.

Syed Saif Ul Hasan
Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2023