Karachi’s population is 16.54 million according to official data, while unofficial sources count its population more than 20 million.

According to police budget report of last year, 87,558 police officials are working in Karachi including office staff and about 10,000 police officials are posted on VIP duties to provide security to important people.

A report compiled and researched by a senior journalist Mansoor Mani reveals that there are 116 police stations and 50 police check posts, while some of the police stations have been incorporated into one building such as Korangi and Awami Colony police stations.

On an average, each police station has 150 to 250 staff members including officers, investigation staff, operation staff and constables. While, only 25,000 policemen including investigation department workers are responsible for protection of more than 20,000,000 people of the megalopolis, which makes one policeman per 800 people.

The ratio is too low viewing the population of the big city and the gap will further widen if you subtract the investigation department staff.

As per international standard, there should be one policeman per 450 people, so it means that we are almost 43 percent short of police force in Karachi. Karachi police are comprised 88 percent constabulary force, 11.5 percent non-gazetted officers and 0.87 percent gazette officers. According to the Federal Ombudsman, 90 percent of the constables are undereducated.

Mansoor Mani said that Karachi Police are not only facing shortage of workforce but resources as well. Stationary, diesel and other important stuff at police stations are also always inadequate.