Years after it was proposed as a key crime-control initiative, a plan to electronically monitor suspects released on bail in Karachi remains unimplemented with no significant progress made beyond official paperwork.
Over the years, several strategies have been introduced to curb rising crime in the metropolis, accompanied by promises of adopting modern technology in policing. Among them was a proposal to use electronic tracking devices to monitor individuals repeatedly arrested in serious criminal cases, including street crimes, robberies and snatching incidents, who were later released on bail by courts.
The primary objective of the plan was to keep track of such individuals’ movements, prevent repeat offences and enable law enforcement agencies to respond quickly if they became involved in criminal activities again.
According to police sources, the authorities had prepared a list of nearly 10,000 individuals classified as habitual offenders in police records. Officials believed that continuous monitoring of these suspects would help reduce crime and assist investigators in solving criminal cases.
The proposal included the use of electronic bracelets or tracking devices similar to those used in several countries under probation, parole and court-supervised monitoring systems. At the time, senior police officials described the initiative as a major step toward improving public safety in Karachi. Detailed recommendations were reportedly forwarded to senior Sindh police officials for onward submission to the provincial government for approval. Legal, administrative and financial aspects of the proposal were also examined.
However, despite the initial enthusiasm, the project failed to move beyond the planning stage. Several years later, no dedicated budget has been allocated, no legal approval secured and no suspect placed under electronic monitoring.
Police sources said the project faced multiple obstacles, including legal complications and concerns regarding fundamental rights. Legal experts and human rights advocates questioned whether placing individuals under constant electronic surveillance after they had secured bail could amount to a violation of constitutional rights. As a result, officials believed a clear legal framework and judicial backing would be essential before implementation.
Financial constraints also emerged as a major hurdle. The proposed system required the procurement of thousands of electronic devices, along with investment in monitoring infrastructure, data storage facilities, control rooms and additional manpower. Without a dedicated funding mechanism from the Sindh government, the project remained stalled.
Ironically, during the same period, Karachi continued to face persistent crime challenges. Numerous suspects involved in street crime, motorcycle theft, mobile phone snatching and robberies were repeatedly arrested, granted bail and later found allegedly involved in criminal activities again.
Police officials have frequently argued that a significant number of arrested suspects return to crime after obtaining bail. In a related effort, authorities had also proposed making suspects released on bail report regularly to their respective police stations. While police believed this would improve oversight, critics argued that the measure alone would be insufficient, maintaining that weaknesses in investigations and prosecution remained the core issues.
Retired police officers and legal experts contend that introducing new surveillance mechanisms is not enough to effectively combat crime. They argue that modernising investigations, strengthening forensic capabilities and improving the quality of prosecution would have a greater impact on securing convictions in serious criminal cases.
Experts note that electronic monitoring systems have been successfully implemented in several countries, but such systems operate under clear legal frameworks, judicial oversight, strict data protection regulations and robust criminal justice structures. Pakistan, they say, has yet to establish the necessary legal and administrative foundations for such a programme.
Citizens and civil society representatives have also stressed that while modern technology should be utilised in a city of the size of Karachi, strengthening the fundamentals of policing remains equally important. They argue that better training for investigators, enhanced forensic resources, stronger prosecution and effective court follow-up are critical to achieving long-term reductions in crime.
For now, the electronic monitoring project remains dependent on government approval, funding and a comprehensive legal framework. What was once presented as a significant breakthrough in Karachi’s fight against crime continues to exist only on paper, while residents still await practical solutions to the city’s persistent security challenges.
