Activists in Karachi protested the disappearance of a young trade unionist from the Korangi Industrial Area. The National Trade Union Federation Pakistan organized the protest after Iqbal Abro went missing, alleging police involvement at the behest of an influential industrialist due to Abro’s advocacy against forced retrenchment.
Trade union leaders, including Nasir Mehmood and Comrade Gul Rehman, accused the Awami Colony police of kidnapping and torturing Abro. They labeled his disappearance as an enforced disappearance and blamed an influential industrialist for his plight, citing Abro’s advocacy for retrenched workers’ rights.
A petition has been filed in the Sindh High Court concerning Abro’s disappearance. The NTUF-P leaders have threatened further action at an upcoming labor conference if Abro is not released promptly.
Police data in Karachi have shown a decrease in reported street crimes from 71,105 cases in 2024 to over 64,000 in 2025. However, the statistics also reveal a concerning trend of criminal activities, including vehicle hijackings and thefts, as well as mobile phone snatching incidents.
An editorial in the ‘Business Recorder’ highlighted the persistent street crime issues in Karachi despite the reported decline in certain crime categories. The editorial emphasized the need for comprehensive data analysis beyond police records to fully understand the extent of criminal activities in the city.
