Latest news with #CPLC
Express Tribune
12 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Extortion shadow looms over the metro
The extortion mafia has once again raised its head in the city, with 32 cases reported over the past five months. The highest number of incidents — 10 — were reported in District Central, where extortionists not only targeted individuals but also caused loss of life through gunfire. Taking notice of the rising number of extortion cases, Karachi Police Chief Javed Alam Odho has formed a 13-member team comprising the SSP of New Karachi Division, CPLC, SIU, technical team members, and officers from the operations wing of the District Central police. So far this year, 11 extortion cases were reported in January, four in February, nine in March, five in April, and three in May. According to reports, hotel owners, food centres, paan shopkeepers, and street vendors were blackmailed and threatened with dire consequences if they did not pay extortion money. In the New Karachi area of District Central, a young boy and a social worker — who was providing iftar to citizens during Ramazan — were killed in firing by extortionists. Additionally, several shopkeepers have reported cases to the police in which they paid extortion money. It is worth noting that investigations have revealed evidence of the involvement of the Lyari gang war's Wasiullah Lakho and Samad Kathiawari groups in these extortion cases. Police have already arrested several members of both groups. The special team formed to crack down on extortionists will be headed by SP New Karachi Division Salman Waheed, and will include Assistant Chief Operations of CPLC Kashif Iftikhar, Deputy Chief District Central Sheikh Faraz, and Naveed Hashmi. Other members include DSP Operations Wasif Qureshi and DSP Investigation Nasir Afridi from the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the CIA Police, SHO SIU Inspector Malik Mazhar Awan, and technical team members Sub-Inspectors Qadir Jalali and Zeeshan, along with area Head Constable Faraz. The team also includes the SDPO of New Karachi from the Operations Wing of District Central and the technical team of District Central. In addition, the team may seek assistance from any police officer within the Karachi Range as needed. The Karachi Police Chief has tasked the team with preventing further extortion cases in District Central and arresting those involved.
Express Tribune
20-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Kidnapped man rescued safely
AVCC and CPLC police rescued a kidnapped person on Saturday. The AVCC police spokesperson revealed that unknown armed persons had kidnapped Muhammad Hassan from Sachal area on April 16. The kidnappers had demanded a ransom of Rs500,000 for his release. During a joint raid in district south, Muhammad Hassan was safely rescued while the police are conducting raids in search of the kidnappers involved in the incident.
Express Tribune
09-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Crime stats paint bleak picture
Despite repeated claims by police officials of a decline in crime, the harsh reality on the ground paints a very different picture. According to the latest report released by the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), the streets of Karachi remained dangerous and unpredictable during March 2025, as hundreds were killed and thousands of citizens were deprived of their vehicles, motorcycles, and mobile phones in snatching and theft incidents. In the month of March alone, Karachiites suffered major financial losses as, 160 vehicles were either snatched or stolen, 4,179 motorcycles were taken away in similar crimes and 1,312 mobile phones were snatched from citizens at gunpoint. The situation becomes even more alarming when looking at the first three months of 2025. From January to March, the numbers were even more staggering, during which, a total of 537 vehicles were lost, 12,182 motorcycles disappeared from roads and parking lots and 4,300 mobile phones were snatched from citizens. Similarly, in the same month, one incident of kidnapping for ransom and 9 incidents of extortion were reported. During this time, 42 citizens were also killed during the targeted killings in the city. According to the report, during the same period, 132 people were killed in murder and vandalism incidents in the city, five kidnappings for ransom, and a total of 24 extortion incidents were reported. These crimes have cost the public billions of rupees. Police officer's claims of a reduction in crime are valid, but the looting of citizens is still ongoing in the city. The claims of police officers about a decrease in crime are in place, but the series of robberies from the citizens are still ongoing.
