By Ahsan Mughal
KARACHI: In a deeply unsettling incident that has stirred public outrage, robbers in Karachi openly snatched valuables from a man in broad daylight, as traffic police officers stood by without lifting a finger. The brazen crime took place near Steel Town Mor and has been widely condemned after footage of the robbery went viral on social media.
The video, recorded by a passerby, captures the moment the robbers accosted the victim in front of stunned onlookers and indifferent traffic officials. The footage shows the robbers firing shots when the man resisted, adding a terrifying dimension to what is fast becoming a pattern of unchecked street crime in the city. Despite the gunfire and the victim’s evident distress, the traffic police on duty made no attempt to intervene or even signal for help. The assailants fled the scene on a motorcycle moments later.
The video has triggered a wave of criticism online, with citizens questioning not only the growing impunity of criminals but also the apparent paralysis of law enforcement. It has once again raised serious concerns about the security of ordinary people and the readiness—or willingness—of police personnel to respond in emergencies.
Meanwhile, local police have issued a statement claiming that no formal complaint has yet been received from the victim. In the absence of an official report, the authorities have so far failed to take substantive action. This has only deepened public scepticism over the effectiveness of law enforcement in the area, with many Karachiites expressing fear and frustration over what they describe as a crumbling system of public safety.
