The outgoing caretaker Sindh government has reported a notable decrease of 4.19 percent in street crime in Karachi during 2023, marking the first decline in seven years, according to a report released on Sunday.

Quoting retired Justice Maqbool Baqar, the caretaker Sindh Chief Minister, the report attributed the reduction in street crime to effective policing measures undertaken during the tenure. Measures included bolstering the Shaheen Force with 386 new bikes for patrolling crime hotspots and enhancing Madadgar 15 services with improved technology and additional vehicles.

The report emphasized the significance of improving law enforcement capabilities to enhance public confidence in the government and combat vigilantism. Notably, efforts to address kidnapping incidents in riverine areas saw a decline from 170 cases in the first eight months of 2023 to 63 incidents in the subsequent six months.

Additionally, the outgoing government claimed to have significantly reduced the financial outlay of the Sindh Safe City Project and released its first tranche of funds. Revamping Madadgar 15 and addressing investigative issues were cited as contributing factors to the reported improvements in crime prevention.

Despite limitations on major infrastructure projects, the caretaker CM accelerated efforts such as the Sharea Faisal Development Project and initiatives to regulate water supply and rehabilitate flood-affected schools. Steps were also taken to tackle absenteeism among teachers and address book shortages in public schools.

Acknowledging achievements while recognizing ongoing challenges, the caretaker CM emphasized the need for sustained efforts to enhance service delivery and governance in the province.