Saturday, February 8, 2014

Karachi is the world's most dangerous mega-city

"Foreign Policy magazine recently ranked Karachi the world's most dangerous mega-city, topping Bogota, Colombia; Lagos, Nigeria; and Mexico City.
A string of Pakistani leaders, including Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, have pledged to clean up Karachi, where teeming millions elbow for an edge in the tropical heat. Owners don't leave their property empty, even for a few days, because they worry that gangs will take it over. Even in posher areas, residents venture out at night on unlighted streets at their own peril.
Little reform is expected, given the clout of local political bosses and their affiliated criminal gangs. Of the estimated 10,000 police officers on duty at a given time, more than half are reportedly chauffeuring VIPs around. According to a leaked 2009 U.S. Embassy cable, the armed militia of one political party alone numbered 25,000.
In March, police official Niaz Khoso reported that half the sprawling city was a no-go area for police, who routinely advise the relatives of kidnapping victims to take the lead in dealing with the criminals."
http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-c1-pakistan-karachi-crime-20131112-dto,0,7429758.htmlstory

In my latest ranking of the world's top 30 cities, I included Karachi, Pakistan, based largely on its population.  But I think to be one the top cities, a city would have to show that it isn't totally screwed up.  Every city has problems, but Karachi is insane.

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