Karachi's security landscape is shifting, according to a senior police official who credits a rapid implementation of new policies for a significant decline in crime. Speaking before a gathering of industrialists, Additional Inspector General of Sindh Azad Khan outlined a multi-pronged strategy that blends surveillance, targeted operations, and technological upgrades. His remarks come amid persistent concerns from business leaders about extortion and encroachments. Main Developments Azad Khan announced that two major kidnapping-for-ransom and extortion networks have been dismantled in Karachi. He added that some criminal groups operate from abroad, with intensified efforts underway for their arrest and repatriation. The police chief highlighted a worrying expansion of drug networks, particularly in schools and colleges, prompting a strategic focus on modern technology. To date, around 1,300 cameras have been installed under the Karachi Safe City project, with 2,000 more in the pipeline. Read also: PSX Surges 2,100 Points as Oil Slumps on US-Iran Talks Traffic management has also seen the introduction of an e-challan system, though Azad Khan acknowledged that a lack of mass transit and encroachments remain major obstacles. An integrated system to eliminate encroachments is being introduced, starting from District Central. Regarding the Ali Raza case, the Additional IG stated that the investigation will be completed based on evidence and facts. He also pointed to unemployment as a key driver of street crimes. Background The meeting was hosted by the Federal B Area Association of Trade and Industry (FBAATI), where President Sheikh Tahseen voiced concerns about law and order in industrial zones. He alleged that land mafia involvement in encroachments on industrial plots and a rise in extortion incidents are breeding fear among industrialists. Tahseen claimed the extortion network is becoming increasingly active in industrial areas. He also noted that the Karachi Safe City project has not yet been fully activated, urging the use of modern surveillance technology with Sindh Police cooperation to make FBAATI a model zone. Additional problems cited include the establishment of interprovincial bus stands near industrial areas and the rapid growth of illegal rickshaw stands, which are creating new challenges for traffic, security, and industrial activity. Why It Matters The police's claims of reduced crime are directly relevant to Karachi's business community, which faces tangible threats from extortion and land grabbing. The city's industrial zones are economic engines, and persistent security issues can deter investment and disrupt operations. The emphasis on technology, including the Safe City cameras and e-challan system, signals a shift toward data-driven policing. However, the incomplete activation of the Safe City project, as noted by FBAATI, suggests that full benefits are yet to be realized. What's Next Efforts to arrest and repatriate foreign-based criminal network leaders are expected to intensify. The integrated encroachment removal system is slated to begin in District Central, which could serve as a model for other districts. FBAATI's call for a joint strategy with relevant institutions indicates that industrialists are pushing for collaborative solutions. The completion of the Ali Raza case investigation will be watched closely, as it may set a precedent for evidence-based prosecutions.