KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, presiding over a meeting, reviewed the overall law and order situation across the province, where he was informed that major crimes, terrorism-related incidents, and street crimes had registered a significant decline during the first half of 2026 owing to intelligence-based policing, enhanced inter-agency coordination, targeted operations against criminals, and strengthened border security measures.
The meeting reviewed the province-wide security environment, crime trends, counter-terrorism operations, anti-narcotics drives, katcha area operations, and the performance of modern surveillance systems, including the Safe City Project and Sindh Smart Surveillance System.
The meeting, held at the CM House, was attended by Provincial Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Home Secretary Iqbal Memon, Inspector General of Police JavedAlamOdho, Additional IG Police Karachi Azad Khan and others.
During the briefing, Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar told the chief minister that Sindh Police had maintained a robust security environment across the province through intelligence-led policing, strengthened security at inter-provincial borders, enhanced protection of sensitive installations, foreign missions, Chinese nationals, religious institutions, public places and critical government infrastructure.
The meeting was told that close coordination was being maintained among Sindh Police, Rangers, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Special Branch, intelligence agencies and district administrations to counter emerging security threats.
Major crimes register decline
According to comparative statistics for January-June 2026 against the corresponding period in 2025, murders declined by 17.3 per cent, robbery with murder by 19.4 percent, robbery with injury by 25.4 percent, dacoity and robbery by 18.9 percent, car snatching by 23.9 percent, motorcycle snatching by 31.1 percent and motorcycle theft by 22.1 per cent, the IG Police,JavedOdho, informed the CM.
The IG Police told the chief minister that while most categories of crime showed a downward trend, mobile phone snatching had increased and required focused action.
The Additional IG (Karachi) Azad Khan told the CM that overall street crime in Karachi decreased by 11.77 per cent compared to the same period last year. Fatalities during robbery incidents declined by 38.3 per cent, injuries by 39.1 per cent, vehicle snatching by 24.3 per cent and motorcycle snatching by 27.8 per cent.
Police Operations Intensified
According to the Additional IG Karachi, Sindh Police conducted 2,184 encounters during the first six months of 2026 compared to 1,574 during the same period last year. Police busted 1,087 criminal gangs, killed 187 criminals and arrested thousands of suspects during various operations.
The briefing highlighted a substantial increase in recoveries of illegal weapons, particularly pistols, revolvers and other firearms, as part of an intensified crackdown on criminal elements.
Anti-narcotics drive expanded
Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar told the chief minister that police conducted 7,027 raids against narcotics dealers during the reporting period, resulting in 7,468 cases and the arrest of 9,096 accused. Significant quantities of heroin, charas, ice and liquor were seized.
Special operations were also carried out against major narcotics suppliers, online drug sellers and dealers operating around educational institutions.
Extortion networks targeted
The meeting reviewed progress against extortion rackets operating in Karachi. Additional IG Azad Khan reported an 81 percent detection rate in registered extortion cases. Several notorious gangs were dismantled, dozens of accused were arrested, and four red notices were issued against absconding suspects operating from abroad.
IG Police JavedOdho told the CM that terrorism-related incidents had declined by 75 per cent during 2026 compared to the previous year.
The CTD conducted 777 intelligence-based operations and apprehended 355 terrorists and criminals linked to various banned organisations, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Baloch insurgent groups and sectarian outfits.
Large quantities of explosives, improvised explosive devices, detonators, hand grenades and other materials were recovered during operations, the IG Police said.
Katcha area operations continue
HomeMinister Zia Lanjar told the chief minister that Operation Nijat-e-Mehran in the riverine katcha areas had yielded significant results. Since January 2026, police conducted 141 encounters, killed 275 dacoits and criminals, arrested hundreds of suspects, secured the surrender of several outlaws and recovered abductees and illegal weapons.
The police reported that a total of 550 dacoits had either been arrested or surrendered under the ongoing campaign aimed at eliminating organised criminal networks operating in the katcha belt.
IG JavedOdho, briefing the CM on Safe City and surveillance system, said that under Phase-I of the Safe City Project, 1,325 surveillance cameras had been installed across Karachi, exceeding the original target. The system includes facial recognition cameras, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras and PTZ cameras.
The IG police reported that the Safe City system had helped apprehend suspects, recover stolen vehicles and provide critical evidence in criminal investigations.
Similarly, the Sindh Smart Surveillance System (S4), established at Rs1.4 billion, had installed 381 cameras at 40 toll plazas across the province. The system led to the arrest of 496 criminals and seizure of 349 vehicles.
Highway and traffic safety
The chief minister was informed that the Sindh Police Highway Patrol, covering over 2,150 kilometres of major highways, was actively responding to security alerts, assisting commuters and intercepting criminals.
The Traffic Regulation and Citation System (TRACS) has issued more than 1.24 million digital traffic tickets and contributed to a 44 percent reduction in traffic accidents, a 19 percent decline in fatalities and a 27 percent reduction in injuries.
Border security strengthened
The meeting reviewed security arrangements at major inter-provincial and transitional border points, including Hub-Karachi, Jamshoro-Hub, Dadu-Khuzdar, Kashmore-DeraBugti-Rajanpur, Ghotki-Rahim Yar Khan and coastal areas.
The Home Minister informed the Chief Minister that security coverage had been enhanced through police posts, snap checking, mobile patrols and motorcycle patrol units at 139 crossing points across the province.
Expressing satisfaction over the overall improvement in the security situation, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah directed law-enforcement agencies to maintain the momentum and further strengthen preventive policing.
The CM also ordered strict action against organised criminal gangs, drug traffickers and facilitators of terrorism, while emphasising the need for greater community engagement and public confidence in law-enforcement institutions.
Murad Shah further directed officials to ensure foolproof security for Chinese nationals, foreign missions, sensitive installations and religious gatherings, adding that all agencies must continue working in close coordination to preserve peace and stability throughout Sindh.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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