street crimes in karachi

Street Crimes in Karachi: Decline or Increase Since

Karachi OperationBy: Khurshid Marwat (IRS)Faculty Advisor: M. Hanif Memon

National Institute of ManagementKarachi

18th Senior Management Course

A Current Issue Presentation on

3

Disclaimer & Thanks

• There were different sets of data at multiple sources hence making the analysis extremely difficult

• Some of the data was never compiled especially by other provinces so educated assumptions were made in consultation with the respective officers

• Utmost care has been taken to quote the data that has a valid source and is most rational

• Special thanks to 18th SMC Course Participants Mr. Saqib Ismail Memon and Mr. Parvez Ahmed Chandio for providing some vital data regarding this presentation

4

- “Including DHA and Clifton, even in broad day light Karachiites are no more safe in any corner of this city”

- President KCCI Iftikhar Ahmad Vohra

- “Continuous Street Crimes have badly affected Karachi Operation”

- CPLC Chief Zubair Habib

- “looking at the danger, policing powers of the Rangers will hopefully stay”

- Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar

5

Sequence• Aim of the Presentation• Definition & Characteristics• Currency of the Issue• Perception of Karachi• Major Forms of Street

Crimes• Reasons for Criminal

Behavior in Street Crimes• Karachi-Operation

• Pre Karachi-Operation Environment

• Key Objectives• Current Environment• Overall Summary – Rangers

Actions – Since 05 Sep, 2013

• Role of Police in Curbing Street Crimes

• Analysis of street Crimes• Four Wheelers• Two Wheelers• Cell Phones

• Market dynamics of Street Crimes

• Provincial Comparisons• Conclusions• Possible Reasons for

Consistency• Recommendations

6

Aim of The Presentation

• To establish before the audience the currency of this burning issue of Street Crimes and after analyzing the same, eventually draw a specific conclusion whether Karachi Operation has effects (if any) on this particular Genre of Crime as well as come up with a set of recommendations for countering this issue.

7

Definition & Characteristics

• ‘Street crime’ is any crime that takes place in a public place like mugging, car theft, vandalism etc. • Easiest, Oldest, Widespread• Common Routine

Mostly in Night In Deserted Places Victim is alone Most of the time Criminal is alone as well

• Karachi Specific Routine Mostly in Broad Day Light In front of Public Eye & nearby cops No care about victim being alone Predominantly more than one criminals

8

Currency of the ISSUE

9


10


11

This is Karachi• Karachi is among top 10 most violent & dangerous cities in the

world*• Every citizen of this 22 million strong city is either Directly or

Indirectly touched by a form of Street Crime**• Range of Criminal Activities

• Target Killing, Extortion, Car/Motor Cycle/Mobile/Wallet/Other Valuables Snatching, Robberies, Prostitution, Drugs, Pickpocketing, Dacoities, Terrorism, & Other Petty Crimes such as vandalism etc.

• The Registered Population of Vehicles Up to September 2015 is;***• 1,692,464 Four Wheelers (231 Per Day) • 2,656,174 Two Wheelers (793 Per Day)

• There are Approximately 13 Million Users of Cell Phones in Karachi ****• Which means that almost 60% of Karachiites have Cell Phones

Source: * http://www.wonderlist.com/10-most violent-cities-in-the-world/#disqus_thread http://www.tafrehmella.com/threads/top-10-most-dangerous-cities-of-the -world.275574 ** An Interview with Sharfuddin Memon (Former Chief of CPLC) *** Office of ACLC Karachi **** Pakistan Telecommunication Authority

http://www.wonderlist.com/10-most

http://www.tafrehmella.com/threads/top-10-most-dangerous-cities-of-the%20-world.275574

12

Major forms of Street Crimes in Karachi

• Snatching of Four Wheelers

• Snatching of Two Wheelers

• Snatching of Mobile Phones

• Snatching of other valuables

13

Vic-tims46%

Safe54%

Karachi Street Crimes

65%28%

100%35% Lost Phones

14% Lost Phones More Than Once63% Are Those Who Appear Rich

14% Female Victims Only

48% 32%Source: Gallup Pakistan for BBC

15

Reasons for Criminal Behavior in Street Crimes

• Thrill• Easy Cash Inflows• Poverty• Unemployment• Psychological Disorders• Revenge• Organized Criminal Networks

• Crime has been incentivized• Police a part of Problem or Solution?

16

Karachi Operation• Started on September 5, 2013• Rangers were requisitioned under;

• Article 147 of Constitution• Clause 1 of Sub-Section 3 of Section 4 of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997• Mandated to prevent special types of crimes under the purview of

ATA 1997• Terrorism – Target Killings (including supporters & Sponsors)

– Bhatta (Extortion) – Kidnapping for Ransom• Clearly Street Crimes is out of the ambit of Karachi Operation

• As Per Rangers currently it is in Stage II since August 14, 2015• This Operation when started was not identified to be in stages• Apparently, the same four categories of crimes will still be focused

in Stage II then what is new in Stage II?• Charges of Political Victimization ad Targeting of a specific Party • And now talks of “Operation Till Logical End”

• . Source: * Gallup Pakistan An Interview with Maj. Gen. Bilal Akbar, DG Rangers

589

1524

EXTORTION

20122013

2012 20130

50

100

150

200

129173

KIDNAPPING

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

27

18

43

81

44

7562

53

91

121

75

107105 106 107

72

81

100

86

7361

4655

73

2012 2013

TGT KILLINGTERRORISM2012 Kille

dInjure

d

Bomb Blast in a Coach at Clifton Town 6 45

IED Attack on Bohri Jamat Khana at N/Nzd 7 18

Bomb Blast on Police APC at Malir 4 16

2013 IED Attack at Abbas Town 40 100 Bomb Blast in a Rickshaw at Orangi 12 39

Bomb Explosion at ANP Office, Landhi 11 32

Pre Karachi Operation Environment

Source: An Interview with Maj. Gen. Bilal Akbar, DG Rangers

Minimise/ eliminate militant wings of political parties

Minimise/ eliminate target killing capacity of ethnic, sectarian

and political militants

Minimise/ eliminate kidnapping for ransom

Minimise/ eliminate bhatta from Karachi

Curtail / eliminate terrorists’ liberty of action and their support

base/ network from Karachi

KEY OBJECTIVES


174115

13

Kidnapping

2013

2014

2015

TGT KILLINGTERRORISM

2014 Killed

Injured

Terrorists Attack on JIAP Karachi

14 7

2015

Safoora Incident 45 8

Most of the Terrorists s and banned outfits have been Neutralized

Current Environment

1524899

249

Extortion

2013 2014

2015

KIDNAPPINGEXTORTION

Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

84

121

75

10798 101

90

61

81 92 80

66

50 4655

7362 66

57

4350

3442 40

44

29 29 23

51

3 13 18 179 12 14

2012/13 Linear (2012/13) 2013/14


OVERALL SUMMARY - RANGERS ACTIONSSINCE 05 SEP 2013

20

Details No of Operations Apprehended H/O to

PoliceRecoveries

Weapons Ammo.

Operations 6097 8449 3840 6549 333759

Snap Checking - 2253 1316 1000 40947

Total 6097 10702* 5156 7549 374706

Source: An Interview with Maj. Gen. Bilal Akbar, DG Rangers * http://tribune.com.pk/story/946108/karachi-operation-a-game-of-numbers/ ** Gallup Pakistan Survey

• Overall Claim of 72000 arrests made under Karachi Operation *• Which means the rest of the 62000 People were still arrested by the

same old discredited Sindh Police• However, interestingly 71% of Karachiites are of the view that all sorts of

crimes have shown substantial decline due to Rangers Led Karachi Operation**

• This assumption needs to be corroborated whether Karachi Operation had any effect on Street Crimes or Not?

http://tribune.com.pk/story/946108/karachi-operation-a-game-of-numbers/


21

Role of Police in Curbing Street Crimes• Wings Involved

• ACLC (Anti Car Lifting Cell)• SIU (Special Investigating Unit)• Special Branch • Concerned Police Station

• Notably Since the start of Karachi Operation Sindh Police has arrested 86% of the Culprits*• 61851 Total Suspects which also includes;

• 1802 Murderers• 879 Terrorists• 119 Kidnappers• 2775 Robbers

• Works in Sync with CPLC

Source: * http://tribune.com.pk/story/946108/karachi-operation-a-game-of-numbers/

22

Analysis of Street Crimes

23

Four Wheelers

YEAR All Types & MakesSNATCHED STOLEN TOTAL (No. & Loss) PER DAY

2008 1448 4255 5703 (Rs. 2.85 Billion) 15.62

2009 1323 3287 4610 (Rs. 2.31 Billion) 12.63

2010 1267 3125 4392 (Rs. 2.19 Billion) 12.03

2011 1451 3141 4592 (Rs. 2.30 Billion) 12.58

2012 1479 3705 5184 (Rs. 2.59 Billion) 14.20

2013 1121 3334 4455 (Rs. 2.23 Billion) 12.21

2014 929 2942 3871 (Rs. 1.94 Billion) 10.61

Till 11 Oct-2015 316 1406 1722 (Rs. 0.86 Billion) 6.06

Source: An Interview with Irfan Bahadur, SSP ACLC

24

Two Wheelers


2008 4462 10628 15090 (Rs. 377 Million) 41.34

2009 3241 10788 14029 (Rs. 351 Million) 38.44

2010 3307 11678 14985 (Rs. 375 Million) 41.05

2011 4859 13405 18264 (Rs. 457 Million) 50.04

2012 6248 15888 22136 (Rs. 553 Million) 60.65

2013 6383 16619 23002 (Rs. 575 Million) 63.02

2014 5327 17267 22594 (Rs. 565 Million) 61.90

Till 11 Oct-2015 2872 13389 16261 (Rs. 407 Million) 57.26


25

4W & 2W REPORTED VS REGISTERED CRIME

DETECTION RATE

YEAR REPORTED CRIME REGISTERED CRIME %

2013 27448 8080 29.44%2014 26400 6115 33.48%

Oct-2015 17983 3742 20.81%

YEAR CASES REGISTERED CASES DETECTED %

2013 8080 1341 16.60%2014 6115 1285 21.01%

Oct-2015 3742 1036 27.69%


26

Cell Phones


Oct-Dec 2013 3007 2441 5448 (Rs. 41 Million) 59.28

Jan-Mar 2014 3818 3009 6827 (Rs. 51 Million) 75.85

Apr-Jun 2014 4458 3629 8087 (Rs. 61 Million) 88.87

Jul-Sep 2014 4777 3761 8538 (Rs. 64 Million) 92.80

Oct-Dec 2014 5707 3619 9327 (Rs. 70 Million) 101.37

Jan-Mar 2015 5981 4294 10375 (Rs.78 Million ) 115.27

Apr-Jun 2015 4698 4431 9129 (Rs. 68 Million) 100.31

Jul-Sep 2015 5142 4519 9661 (Rs. 72 Million) 105.01Sources: CPLC Data with factoring the average cost of a Cell Phone at Rs. 7500/-

27

Market Dynamics of Street Crimes For 4 Wheelers

Most Affected Police Station is Gulshan-e-Iqbal (124 Cases) Least Affected is Aziz Abad (40 Cases)

Top Two Favorites types are identified as Mehran (390 Cases) and Corolla (265 Cases) Two Least liked are Honda City (18 Cases) and Suzuki

Potohar (25 Cases) Top Brand identified as Vulnerable is Suzuki (1055 Cases)

Least Likely to be stolen/snatched is KIA (12 Cases) Most Favorite Color is White (776 Cases) & least liked is Beige

(28 Cases) Only in 1.8% Cases a Single Criminal on the spot was involved

(43.45% were Three Criminals) Most snatching occurred between 09:00 AM to 03:00 PM Most Thefts happened between 01:00 PM to 02:00 PM

Source: ACLC and CPLC

28

Market Dynamics of Street Crimes For 2 Wheelers

o Most Affected Police Station is Korangi Industrial Area (472 Cases) Least Affected Police Station is Jamshed Quarters (258

Cases) Top Three Favorites types are identified as Super Power-70 (4771

Cases), Unique-70 (3183 Cases) and Honda-70 (2084 Cases) Three Least liked are Racer-70 (75 Cases), Asia Hero-70 (108

Cases), and Yamaha Dhoom-70 (114 Cases) Most Favorite Color is Black (14155 Cases) and least liked is

Maroon (7 Cases) Only in 3% Cases a Single Criminal on the spot was involved

(49.52% were Two Criminals) Most snatching occurred between 07 to 09 both in the morning

and Evening Most Thefts happened between 07:00 PM to 10:00 PM


29

Market Dynamics of Street Crimes For Mobiles

Most Affected Police Stations are Ferozabad Police Station (1929 Cases) & Shahra-e-Faisal Police station (1428 Cases) Least Affected is Baldia (497 Cases)

Top Two Brands snatched most as of October 2015 are identified as Q-Mobile (38%) and Nokia (27.5%) Two Least liked are LG and Sony Ericsson

The phones with highest margins are Apple’s IPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy

Most Favorite Color is Black (70% Cases) & least liked is Red (6% Cases)

There are 6 Major Mobile Markets in Karachi with 27 Small Wings Only in 0.5% Cases a Single Criminal on the spot was involved

(87.25% were Two Criminals) Most snatching occurred between 05:00 PM to 11:00 PM


30

Some Members of

20 Identifi

ed Gangs


31

Provincial Comparison

District Population Estimated 2015*

Type of Street Crime 2013 2014 2015 (Up to September

Karachi 22 Million Vehicle Crimes (2 & 4 Wheelers)

27,457 26,465 16,261

Mobile Snatching 21,792 32,808 29,163Lahore 10 Million Vehicle Crimes (2 & 4

Wheelers) 7,660 7,607 5,732

Mobile Snatching 3,384 4,722 4,176Peshawar 3.5 Million Vehicle Crimes (2 & 4

Wheelers) 330 378 217

Mobile Snatching 660 780 1,192Quetta 2.0 Million Vehicle Crimes (2 & 4

Wheelers)172 163 180

Mobile Snatching 43 42 70

Sources: * http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf Karachi Figures obtained from Mr. Irfan Bahadur, SSP ACLC & Ahmad Chinoy, Chief , CPLC Lahore Figures obtained from Dr. Haidar Ashraf, CCPO Lahore Peshawar Figures Obtained from Mr. Mubarak Zeb, CCPO Peshawar Quetta figures rough estimate obtained from Mr. Hashim Khan, SP CPO, Quetta & Website of Baluchistan Police

http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf

32

Conclusion• Karachi Operation did improve overall Law & Order Situation

in Karachi• Crime Figures of all four (Target Killing – Bhatta Collection

– Kidnapping for Ransom – Terrorism) have shown considerable improvement

• The Sole Credit can not be given to Rangers as when properly backed Karachi Police in sync with Rangers has also has delivered reasonably well.

• However, this impact of Karachi Operation is negligible on “Karachi Street Crimes” whose trend has remained more or less static rather has shown some increase.

• So what could be the possible explanations??

33

Possible Reasons for Consistency• Non Reporting (Restricted up to Mobiles & Petty things)

• Cost-Benefit Ratio• Emboldens the Criminals

• Police Behavior• Perception of Hassle• Slackness in recovery of minor losses *

• Average 50% Recovery of 4 Wheelers• Average 25% Recovery of 2 Wheelers• Average 5% Recovery of Mobiles

• Avoidance of FIR so as to keep reported crime rates low in their area• Established Collusion as in some cases the criminals are Policemen of

the area• Mushroom Growth of Buyers of Such Goods

• Previously there was only Saddar Market but now 6 Major Bazaars for mobiles

• The profit margins are really sweet

Source: * ACLC and CPLC Data

34

Possible Reasons for Consistency• Low Incentives

• Pursuing of every crime needs time and efforts• Apprehending of Bigger Criminals has possibility of substantial

rewards like Head Money and swift promotions• Rampant & Open Presence of licit and Illicit Arms

• Mirza’s famous claim to have issued 300,000 arms licenses *• Every Umar/Zaid/Bakar got an access to a firearm• Power Syndrome

• Shortage of Police Personnel• For 22 Million only in field cops are 14,433 **

• 12,214 Cops performing VIP & Non-Core Duties• 1 Policeman for every 1524 People compared to 1 for every 152

People in London

Source: * http://tribune.com.pk/story/252988/ ** http://www.dawn.com/news/1120529

http://tribune.com.pk/story/252988/



http://www.dawn.com/news/1120529

35

Possible Reasons for Consistency• Low Conviction Rate *

• 72000 People Apprehended in 2 years of Karachi Operation included Criminals involved in Street Crimes

• 90% secured a subsequent release for multiple reasons• Case in point - Muhammad Mithal Abro arrested 14 Times

• Political Pressures• More than 20 Organized Gangs Operative in City **• Most have Political links• The moment they are apprehended pressure appears• Are they earning hands for certain Political Parties?

• Society’s Rent Seeking Behavior• We provide “The Market” for such goods knowing that

these cheap second hand mobile sets or spare-parts of vehicles may be coming from stolen goods.

• So in a way we indirectly patronize such crimes

Source: * http://tribune.com.pk/story/946108/karachi-operation-a-game-of-numbers/ ** Interview with Mr. Ahmad Chinoy, Chief CPLC




37

Recommendations• Administrative

• Due to severe shortage of Cops, Ranger’s Policing domain to cater Street Crimes may be extended for a short and identifiable period – Rangers are willing to help * .

• Perhaps now is the time to establish a special force to cater Street Crimes• Lahore’s “Dolphin Force” need to be replicated• Will have a Centralized Command but offer Operational

Assistance to the concerned Police Station• The already identified 34 Hot Spots of such crimes as

such initially just 34 Quick Response Units are needed.• Fresh Police recruitments are mandatory now to make a

viable Cop to People Ratio• Posting Tenure Assurance will have a Direct Impact *

Source: * An Interview with DG Rangers Sindh ** CPLC Chief Ahmad Chinoy

39

Recommendations• Administrations Role

• Only 17.5% of the entire Police allotted Budget is reserved for Non-Salary Expenses which is ridiculously low * hence;

• Police demands maintenance from Traders for their vehicles• CCTV Cameras once installed can not be maintained and stop

working• Squad cars fall into shabby conditions• There is less patrolling • Working environments are extremely non-productive

• Rationalize the Protocol Squads immediately• 155 Mobile Vans & 4000 Personnel looking after Bungalows of

VIPS who are mostly abroad ** . • ACLC has repeatedly recommended a Unified Centralized

Registration Database for all Vehicles with 6 digits so as to overcome a lot of operational difficulties

Source: * Website of Sindh Police ** http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2015/07/02/city/karachi/4000-cops-deployed-on-vip-security-duties

40

Recommendations• Manufacturer's/Importers Role

• Cars/Motorcycles• Almost 61.27% Street Crimes revolve around Suzuki *• The quality of lock system used in Suzuki is extremely

sub-standard and has very few combinations• Toyota and Suzuki also has no secret codes like Honda• Obligatory tough locking systems need to be

implemented• Cheap inbuilt tracking systems are now in vogue – need

to be implemented in Pakistan too• Mobiles

• Almost 65% Street Crimes revolve around Q-Mobiles & Nokia *

• The importers of these Brands need to ensure that each set has a unique IMEI

Source: * ACC Report

41

Recommendations• Legislature’s Role

• Certain Provisions of Pakistan Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure need to be made more stringent so as to counter the repeated early release of criminals involved in Street Crimes *.

• For Example increasing of Minimum Jail Term or Bail Requirements

• Witness Protection Laws need to be enacted so as to increase the reporting of these crimes and whistle blowing culture

• Community’s Role• Active Mohallah Vigilance committees need to be formed in

areas struck most• Basic Trainings in Self Defence and Preventive measures

need to be imparted by LEAs• Coordinate frequent Awareness Campaigns in their areas


42

Recommendations• Media’s Role

• Reporting with Responsibility• Possible glorification of such crimes• Balanced accounts and air time

• CPLC’s Role• CPLC to form dedicated teams for respective police

station’s monitoring & Coordination with Dolphin force• Conduct Surprise visits• Act as a Communication link between Public and LEAs• Oversight of command and control rooms for

• Madadgar 15, E-filing of FIRs, CCTV footages, finger print database etc.

• Public Complaint Redress System against Police


43

“Organized crime constitutes nothing less than a guerrilla war against a Society”

- Lynden B. Johnson

44

Merci