Lynching robbers.

As inflation hits record-levels, street crimes and robberies have been on the rise in Karachi. Last year, some 11,000 incidents of armed robberies resulted in over 400 casualties. Criminals have become so remorseless that they do not hesitate to end the lives of those showing resistance. The deteriorating law and order situation in the sprawling city has created an environment of fear and frustration so much so that caught criminals are lynched in the street.

Just this Sunday, the police arrested seven suspects for killing two alleged robbers in the North Karachi region. The criminals were allegedly attempting to steal valuables from people at a petrol station before onlooker managed to foil their attempt, capture them and eventually beat them to death. Such incidents have become rather common - and three FIRs were registered on the same day in separate incidents - as citizens look to vent out their frustration in the absence of justice. The police need to get their act together and...