KARACHI is witnessing a disturbing trend, in which suspected criminals are lynched by enraged citizens. The most recent incidents, which took place in Orangi Town, Korangi, and Surjani, point to deeper tears in the societal and law-enforcement fabric of the city. The alarming frequency of these lynchings necessitates urgent intervention. The root causes of such vigilantism are manifold. High street crime rates, fuelled by unemployment and easy access to illegal weapons, have left the populace on edge. The perception of an ineffective law-enforcement system contributes significantly to this problem. When being relieved of one’s belongings is a part of life in the city, frustrated citizens sometimes resort to taking the law into their own hands. There were over 60,000 incidents of street crime in the last nine months alone. Such figures not only indicate the severity of the problem but also the failure of the state machinery to provide adequate security and justice.

To curb this tide of mob justice, a multifaceted approach is required. Firstly, there must be a concerted effort to strengthen police numbers and capability to respond effectively to street crimes. This includes improved surveillance, rapid response units, and community policing. Secondly, addressing socioeconomic issues such as unemployment through robust policy interventions can help reduce the desperation that leads to crime. Awareness campaigns about the legal repercussions of mob violence are also crucial. Finally, the judicial system needs to be more efficient in processing cases, ensuring that justice is swift. Last year, a committee probing the lynchings of telecom company employees recommended a ‘mob management police force’ as a potential solution. This idea, if implemented effectively, could help in controlling volatile situations and save lives. While the immediate need is to quell the deadly wave of lynchings, the long-term solution lies in addressing the root causes of crime and rebuilding the citizens’ trust in the law-enforcement and judicial system.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2023