Crime in Pakistan

Crime in Pakistan is present in various forms, especially in the cities of Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Peshawar, Multan,  Hyderabad, Islamabad and Quetta. Among other general crimes, it includes major crimes such as murder, rape, kidnapping, armed robbery, burglary, carjacking and corruption. For example, in the city of Lahore, 379 murders, 500 attempted murders, 2,650 abductions and 55 rapes have occurred in 2019. A direct relationship has been identified between the crime rate and unemployment rate in Pakistan. Elevated unemployment diminishes the attractiveness of legal endeavors, consequently raising the potential gains from illicit pursuits. As a result, the likelihood of an upsurge in illegal activities rises. Crime statistics of Pakistan shows that there is a rapid increase in the number of crime reported over time like other countries of the world. Mainly due to high unemployment, rising poverty, increasing inflation and urbanization. Some other non-economic factors are also responsible for it.



Organised crime
Organised crime in Pakistan includes fraud, racketeering, drug trafficking, smuggling, money laundering, extortion, ransom, political violence, etc. Terrorist attacks became common during the 2000s, especially in North-West Frontier Province, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Balochistan, Karachi and Lahore. Vehicle theft is common, particularly in the large cities.

Opium production
Pakistan falls under the Golden Crescent, which is one of the two major illicit opium producing centres in Asia. Opium poppy cultivation in Pakistan is estimated to be 800 hectares in 2005 yielding a potential production of 4 metric tons of heroin. Opium has been historically cultivated primarily in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in the areas near to the border with Afghanistan. Until the late 1970s, opium production levels were relatively static; it increased after 1979. An estimated $4 billion is generated from drug trafficking in Pakistan.

Corruption and police misconduct
Corruption runs rampant throughout various sectors and facets of life in Pakistan, but when it comes to the prevalence of corruption, the Pakistan Police stand out as unparalleled. According to surveys and reports from international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the police force is consistently identified as the most corrupt institution in Pakistan.