KARACHI: The rising wave of street crime in Karachi has made life increasingly difficult for the city’s residents, with car and motorbike thefts emerging as one of the city’s most alarming security challenges.
Despite the existence of the Anti-Vehicle Lifting Cell (AVLC), a specialised police unit established to curb vehicle theft, official data suggests that the department has largely failed to control the situation.
Statistics covering the period from January 1 to May 4, 2026, have raised serious questions about the Karachi police’s repeated claims of improved law & order and effective policing in the metropolis.
The figures indicate that criminal networks involved in incidents of vehicle theft and snatching have become stronger, while the city’s residents continue to feel increasingly unsafe.
According to official records, as many as 13,758 motorbikes were either stolen or snatched across the city during the 124-day period. The month-wise breakdown shows 3,731 incidents in January, 3,406 incidents in February, 3,537 incidents in March and 3,084 incidents in April.
The statistics reveal that more than 114 motorbikes were being stolen or snatched daily on an average. In contrast, the AVLC and police managed to recover only 794 motorbikes during the same period — fewer than seven recoveries per day on an average.
The recovery rate stands at only 5.7 per cent, highlighting what critics describe as the department’s poor performance and the growing strength of organised criminal groups operating in the city.
If the average value of a motorbike is estimated at Rs50,000, the city’s residents collectively suffered losses of nearly Rs687.9 million within four months alone. Meanwhile, the value of the recovered motorbikes amounts to just over Rs30 million.
The report further states that 630 cars were either stolen or snatched during the same period, out of which only 339 vehicles were recovered, indicating that not only motorbikes but four-wheeled vehicles have also been increasingly targeted in Karachi.
The AVLC is equipped with special powers, modern resources and a substantial budget aimed at preventing vehicle theft in Karachi. The unit also comprises experienced officers who have previously served at police stations and in sensitive investigation units.
However, despite these resources, street crime continues to rise across the city. Residents are routinely deprived of motorbikes, cars and other valuables, while critics say police have failed to present any effective strategy or hold officials accountable for poor performance.
The Karachi police have long faced allegations of internal corruption, political interference and alleged links with criminal elements. Several incidents in the past have also led to accusations against police officials for allegedly facilitating drug traffickers and organised crime groups.
The recent arrest of allegedly notorious drug dealer Anmol, alias Pinky, also sparked controversy, with some observers terming the operation “dramatic” and raising questions regarding legal procedures and the investigation process.
During a press conference related to the case, the Karachi police chief faced tough questions from journalists regarding possible links between police personnel and criminal networks. Officials repeatedly maintained that “investigations are under way”.
The city’s residents have questioned the purpose of specialised units if crime continues to rise despite heavy budgets, modern resources and senior officers being in place.
Civil society representatives argue that street crime cannot be controlled unless alleged black sheep within the police force are identified and held accountable. They say that restoring public confidence requires practical measures rather than repeated claims.
Analysts believe that the increasing theft and snatching of vehicles in Karachi is not merely a law-and-order issue but also a serious reflection on the performance, oversight and accountability of law enforcement agencies.
They warn that unless political influence, internal corruption, and alleged links between criminal elements and officials are eliminated, Karachi’s residents would continue to suffer, while official reports would continue to claim that “the situation is under control”.
