In a troubling incident underscoring Karachi’s ongoing street crime challenges, three armed men on a single motorcycle reportedly boarded a college bus outside Jinnah Medical and Dental College and robbed female students before fleeing. The event occurred within the jurisdiction of the New Town police station, where a case has been filed based on the complaint of the bus driver, Abdur Rehman.
The First Information Report (FIR) reveals that the bus was parked near the college’s designated parking area when the suspects arrived and entered the vehicle. The circumstances suggest the bus or its schedule may have been observed in advance, as it regularly operates on the same route daily. The three armed men executed the robbery with apparent ease, targeting three female students onboard.
During the incident, one student had a gold chain forcibly taken after what was described as a thorough search, while two others had their mobile phones stolen. Additionally, one student reported losing her purse containing approximately Rs8,000 in cash. The complaint notes that one suspect wore a mask and a cap was also used during the robbery. The driver estimated the suspects’ ages to be between 25 and 30 years old, all arriving on a single motorcycle before escaping the scene.
The driver expressed confidence in his ability to identify the suspects if seen again. Police have recorded statements from all three affected students and gathered detailed accounts of the event. Efforts are ongoing to retrieve CCTV footage from the vicinity to assist in identifying the perpetrators; however, no footage has surfaced so far, and the investigation has yet to yield significant progress.
The method of the robbery—three suspects arriving on one motorbike, boarding the bus, committing the theft, and escaping without immediate police intervention—has raised serious concerns about security and law enforcement effectiveness in the area.
In a significant development, Sindh Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho took notice of the robbery involving female students and requested a comprehensive report from the Karachi additional IG. The police chief ordered the immediate arrest of the accused and announced disciplinary action against the Station House Officer (SHO) and other security personnel responsible. He also directed authorities to identify the suspects and proceed based on victim and eyewitness testimonies.
This incident has once again highlighted Karachi’s deteriorating crime situation. Last year, the city recorded approximately 40,000 criminal cases, with over 11,000 reported in just the first two and a half months of 2026. A significant portion of these crimes involve mobile phone and motorbike snatching, which remain among the most frequently reported street offenses.
Questions persist regarding the fate of stolen mobile phones, motorbikes, and vehicles. Police often claim these stolen items are taken across provincial borders, where they either evade recovery or are dismantled and sold. Following major crime incidents, authorities typically announce enhanced strategies to combat street crime, including increased surveillance and technological monitoring.
To date, around 1,200 to 1,400 Safe City cameras have been installed across Karachi, with ongoing efforts to utilize them for rapid crime detection and response. Police have also stated that when suspects are clearly visible on CCTV, facial recognition technology can be employed to identify them and uncover any prior criminal records. Despite these measures and available surveillance footage in many cases, concerns remain over the frequent failure to apprehend suspects.
Meanwhile, criticism continues regarding broader enforcement mechanisms, including the widespread issuance of e-challans. Complaints persist that the system is not functioning optimally, with notices sometimes being sent to incorrect recipients, further undermining public confidence in law enforcement efforts.
