Security in Pakistan’s major urban centres – Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad – has shown measurable improvement over the past year, particularly in terms of serious and street crimes.

Data collected from some of the country’s largest foreign-invested companies, as reflected in the OICCI Security Survey 2025, points to growing confidence in commuting safety, reduced criminal activity in business districts, and fewer incidents that disrupt day-to-day commercial operations.

In Karachi, long viewed as a litmus test for law and order, a significant majority of business leaders reported improvements in both serious and petty crimes.

Lahore and Islamabad reflected similar trends, with increased satisfaction over the visible law enforcement presence and administrative control. These developments have translated into a more predictable business environment in urban Pakistan, critical for sustaining investor sentiment and operational continuity.

However, the optimism begins to wane when moving away from these urban pockets. The situation in Balochistan stands in sharp contrast to the progress seen elsewhere. Serious crimes in the province have increased over the past year, reversing previous gains and cementing its........

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