Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi emphasized the importance of Karachi’s well-being for the country’s overall progress, declaring that “if Karachi is healthy, Pakistan will be healthy.” He vowed that the federal government would do everything possible to address the city’s growing challenges, especially crime and smuggling.
Speaking at an event at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce, Naqvi said the completion of the Safe City Karachi project would significantly reduce crime in the metropolis. “We believe crime prevention is only possible through technology, and Safe City is a basic necessity for Karachi,” he added. He also acknowledged the efforts of the Karachi Police in reducing crime, saying they deserve credit for their performance despite the city’s size and complexities.
The interior minister also touched upon the issue of smuggling, stating that although it hasn’t been completely eradicated, smuggling has reduced significantly. “There was a time when dollars were openly smuggled out of Karachi, and our borders were unguarded. Now, we’ve made substantial progress in tightening controls,” he said, calling smuggling a “termite to the economy” that requires urgent elimination.
On the international front, Naqvi said the government had worked hard to improve the global passport ranking of Pakistan. “With a little more effort, our passport ranking will be much better in the next two years, InshaAllah,” he claimed.
He also stressed the need for stricter laws and harsher punishments to eliminate issues like encroachments. “Fines and penalties must be increased. Without tough laws, these problems won’t go away,” he said, adding that all provinces are working together to bring long-term change, and results will be visible soon.
Earlier in the day, Naqvi also attended a ceremony organized by the Pakistan Coast Guards at the Karachi Port, where two new high-speed boats were inducted into service. He inspected the vessels and commended the Coast Guards’ efforts to enhance maritime security. Major General Jawad Riaz, DG Pakistan Coast Guards, briefed the minister on the features of the new boats.