Caretaker Interim Minister of Sindh, Brigadier (retd) Haris Nawaz, has advised unconventional methods for citizens to avoid snatching mobile phones. The city has recently been plagued by rampant incidents of mobile and motorcycle snatching, leaving residents feeling increasingly vulnerable.
Street crimes in Karachi have become an alarming issue, with videos of brazen snatchers robbing citizens surfacing frequently on social media platforms. Despite the gravity of the situation, authorities have struggled to make significant headway in combating this menace.
In a recent statement, the interim Chief Minister implored citizens to take unusual precautions. “Keep your mobile phones in those places where they can’t get stolen. Another piece of advice is to keep your phones in hidden pockets,” said Brigadier Haris Nawaz. He also called upon citizens to cooperate with the government and law enforcement agencies to curb these crimes.
However, the caretaker minister’s unconventional advice has not been well-received by the public, sparking criticism on social media platforms. Many netizens expressed frustration, viewing the suggestions as impractical solutions to a growing problem.
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This is not the first time a government official has sparked controversy regarding Karachi’s security issues. Last year, the then-Karachi police chief, Javed Alam Odho, faced criticism for downplaying the rising crime rates. He attributed the heightened sense of insecurity to the city’s traders’ community, accusing them of exacerbating the issue through media representation. Odho subsequently emphasized the importance of a “safe city project” for Karachi, stating that tackling street crimes would be unattainable without such an initiative.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by recent statistics. In the first three months of 2023, over 21,000 cases of street crimes were reported in the port city, further emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and effective strategy to combat this surge in criminal activities. As the citizens of Karachi grapple with increasing insecurity, the local government and law enforcement agencies face mounting pressure to address these challenges promptly and effectively.