UNODC, working with provincial stakeholders, convened a one-day conference on the national strategy against organized crime in Karachi on 19 November 2025 at the Sindh Police Museum. The event brought together voices from civil society, academia, the business community, media and Law Enforcement Agencies to examine threats facing Pakistan’s largest megapolis.
Building on momentum from discussions held in Lahore, the Karachi session concentrated on a range of pressing concerns including extortion and land grabbing, rising street crime and vehicle lifting, drug trafficking, cyber-enabled offences and even water theft. Delegates emphasised how these problems intersect with urban growth and economic activity in Sindh.
Speakers and participants stressed the need for joined-up action and stronger institutional coordination to tackle organized crime effectively. The conversation highlighted the importance of linking intelligence, policing, regulatory measures and community initiatives so that responses are timely and proportionate.
Meaningful inclusion of wider communities was a recurring theme, with particular attention to engaging women and youth in shaping solutions and crime prevention efforts. Participants argued that community engagement is essential to rebuild trust in institutions and improve reporting and cooperation with law enforcement.
The initiative aims to build safer neighbourhoods, enhance confidence in public institutions and create a more resilient society capable of adapting to evolving organized crime threats. Karachi’s conference reinforced the national strategy’s focus on collaboration across sectors to protect citizens and sustain long-term stability.
