Number of motorcycles in Karachi has reached 4.6 million due to lack of public transport: AIG

Additional Inspector General of Police (AIG) Karachi Azad Khan has said the city’s lack of an effective public transport system has led to 4.6 million motorcycles on roads.

Speaking at an event, the Karachi police chief said the region continued to face security threats but added that the city remained secure despite past incidents.

He described street crime and extortion as major challenges, saying police had recently taken successful action against a gang allegedly involved in a series of robberies.

He added that there were no longer any "no-go areas" in Karachi and that police were carrying out operations across the city.

The additional IG also said the police were focusing on community policing and anti-narcotics efforts.

Highlighting infrastructure challenges, he said Karachi urgently needed the Safe City project. While a second phase involving the installation of 2,000 surveillance cameras is underway, he said the number is still insufficient for a city the size of Karachi.

Azad Khan also pointed to traffic engineering and road maintenance issues, reiterating that the absence of a mass transit system had led to the sharp increase in the number of motorcycles on Karachi's roads.