Stolen and fake-plated vehicles pose security risk in Karachi

KARACHI: Stolen vehicles and those operating with fake number plates are emerging as a growing public safety and law and order concern in Karachi, according to official figures and law enforcement officials.

The issue affects both residents whose vehicles are taken and authorities dealing with crimes committed using untraceable transport. A recent example involved Ali Hassan, a resident of Gizri, whose Mehran was stolen from outside his flat a few days before Eid. He immediately informed police so the theft would be formally recorded, amid concern that such vehicles can later be used in criminal activity.

Official data shows thousands of vehicles in the city fall into the category of stolen units or those using fake registration plates. Many were detected through the Traffic Regulation and Citation System introduced by Sindh Police. Under that system, about 1,600 vehicles were identified as operating with fake number plates, while nearly 200 stolen vehicles were found moving without plates. These detections came only from areas covered by monitoring cameras, suggesting the broader number across the city may be higher.

Theft reports and recoveries

Data shared by the Citizens Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) showed that in January 2026, more than 3,000 motorcycles and 138 cars were reported stolen in different parts of Karachi. In February, the figures stood at 2,726 motorcycles and 143 cars.

The Anti-Vehicle Lifting Cell (AVLC) of Sindh Police is tasked with recovering stolen or snatched vehicles, but recovery numbers remain comparatively limited. AVLC spokesperson Umair Tanoli said the cell recovered 82 cars and 164 motorcycles in January 2026. In February, recoveries were 83 cars and 226 motorcycles.

Link with street crime and serious offences

Experts see a clear connection between stolen or fake-plated vehicles and criminal activity because such vehicles are difficult to trace. CPLC data showed that Karachi recorded more than 17,000 mobile phone snatching incidents in 2025, along with 21 kidnapping-for-ransom cases and 100 extortion cases.

Social development specialist Gul Muhammad Rais said that vehicles of this kind can be used in street crime, robberies, target killings and kidnappings because tracking them is extremely difficult.

“In Karachi, which has experienced periods of unrest in the past, these vehicles could also be exploited for terrorism and organized crime, highlighting the need for strong preventive measures”, Rais said.

Traffic enforcement response

Beyond the security threat, vehicles without proper number plates also undermine traffic enforcement because fines cannot be issued to unidentified vehicles. DIG Traffic Karachi Syed Pir Muhammad Shah said the traffic police would soon begin a campaign against such vehicles and that a crackdown would start within a week.