Karachi crime

Bismillah alhamdulillah.

Crime

We hired a taxi from the taxi hire counter and started our journey through the back streets of Karachi to our destination. In general this first step was an uncomplicated process but as we were being driven through the back streets I noted that furtive glances to the rear view mirror and side mirrors. My relative who has come to pick us up is keeping a close eye on the taxi driver. He explains things are better in Karachi but at night it is still potentially unsafe in less well lit streets with taxi drivers in cahoots with local mobsters. The unwitting passenger or tourist may find themselves facing a revolver placed at their temple while they are denuded of their goods. My relative explains this had happened just a few months prior to him in a street close to his home by a man wrapped in a cloth fielding a revolver which he had pointed straight at his temple. They survived the encounter in exchange for his wife’s fake gold bangles.  He points to  road where this happened, now only children can be seen playing street cricket. The summer holidays have started (1st June – 3rd August) and the children are oblivious to any potential dangers as they watch the ball as it soars into the sky, ‘Chekka!’ (Six!) they shout in a chorus clapping the batsmen.

The streets are paved but there is no obvious allowance for pedestrians and there is a mixture of transport, with people mainly driving small Suzuki like vehicles. Most look run down and I am not too sure whether this reflects the lack of disposable income or a fear of theft by the mob culture that pervades Karachi. The odd shiny Honda can be seen and ladies are comfortable driving through the chaotic, slow but generally good natured traffic that lines the roads of Karachi.

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