Karachi police shot dead nearly 200 suspected street criminals in encounters during the first 10 months of 2026, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP). The toll represents an increase of about 80% from the 109 suspects killed in the same period last year.
According to Dawn, Karachi police killed 197 suspects in 1,437 encounters or clashes between 1 January and 25 October. Another 1,426 suspects were injured, an increase of 68% from the 849 injured in the same period of 2025.
The HRCP chairman strongly criticised the rising death toll, describing deaths during police encounters as “extrajudicial killings”. He said professional policing, scientific investigation and judicial reform were needed to improve public security, rather than killing suspects.
By Rithy.
