KARACHI: The Sindh government has earmarked Rs179.7 billion for maintaining law and order across the province in the fiscal year 2025–26, reflecting a 4.5% increase from the previous year’s Rs172 billion allocation.
According to the budget documents, a significant portion—Rs117 billion—has been designated for the police force, signaling a strong focus on improving security in the province, particularly in Karachi, which continues to grapple with street crimes and other high-profile incidents.
The prisons department has received a proposed allocation of Rs9.92 billion, marking a 20% hike from last year’s Rs8.21 billion. The increase comes in the wake of the recent Malir jailbreak, which saw over 200 inmates escape custody.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, in his budget speech, emphasized the province’s commitment to public safety and modernizing law enforcement. “We’re equipping Sindh police with the tools, training, and reforms they need to address evolving challenges,” he said.
Key Initiatives and Allocations:
- Rs200 million has been allocated to launch the Provincial Intelligence Fusion & Threat Assessment Centre (PIFTAC), a platform for coordinated intelligence sharing.
- Rs400 million has been allocated for bulletproof vehicles to enhance protection for foreign nationals, particularly Chinese citizens working in the province.
- A new Sindh Police Highway Patrol unit is being piloted, initially deploying 1,200 personnel with 71 vehicles across 40 patrol beats. A full-scale rollout would cover 2,153 kilometers of highways with 1,900 personnel and 92 vehicles, including 13 armored personnel carriers (APCs).
Crime Statistics and Counterterrorism Efforts:
CM Shah dismissed concerns about rising crime in Karachi, citing official data showing:
- 67% reduction in vehicle theft and snatching.
- 54% decrease in violent street robberies.
- An 81% crime detection rate due to advanced investigative techniques.
He added that no major terrorist attacks occurred in Sindh during 2024–25, apart from an October 2024 suicide bombing targeting Chinese nationals near Jinnah International Airport, which was quickly resolved by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).
In total, Sindh police arrested 210 suspected terrorists in 2024 and 42 so far in 2025, with four killed in armed encounters.
The chief minister concluded by reaffirming his government’s resolve to maintain peace and order through effective policing and intelligence-driven operations.
