Karachi: Additional Inspector General (AIG) Azaad Khan has said that the absence of an effective public transport system in Karachi has led to the widespread use of motorcycles, with around 4.6 million motorcycles currently on the city’s roads.
Speaking at a ceremony in Karachi, the police chief said the region continues to face security threats due to terrorism, but law enforcement agencies remain vigilant in maintaining public safety.
He acknowledged that street crime and extortion remain major challenges for the city. Referring to the issue of beggars, he remarked that Karachi attracts them because of its generous population.
AIG Azaad Khan also stated that there are no longer any “no-go areas” in Karachi, adding that police are conducting operations across the city without restriction. He said a criminal group allegedly involved in recent street crime incidents had been successfully targeted through police action.
The police chief highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen community policing and combat drug-related crimes, emphasizing the department’s commitment to improving public security.
He stressed the need to modernize the police force through technology, describing the Safe City Project as essential for Karachi. He noted that the city had fallen behind in implementing the initiative and said that while 2,000 additional surveillance cameras are being installed in the second phase of the project, the number is still insufficient for a city of Karachi’s size.
AIG Azaad Khan also pointed to deficiencies in traffic engineering and road maintenance, saying these issues, combined with the lack of a reliable mass transit system, have contributed significantly to the heavy dependence on motorcycles for daily transportation.
He emphasized that improving public transport infrastructure and expanding technology-based policing measures would play a vital role in enhancing traffic management, public safety, and overall urban governance in Karachi.
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