Spatiotemporal Concentration of Homicides in Karachi

Imran Khan1, Farkhunda Burke2 and Syed Nawaz-ul-Huda3

Abstract
Homicide, a primeval crime has been escalating globally with varying spatiotemporal fluctuations depending on level of development of countries, which has far reaching socio cultural and political influence on societies. Karachi, being a third world mega polis of Pakistan witnessed spatiotemporal fluctuations of homicides due to various reasons. The trajectories between 2009-2017 revealed changes due to a number of ground realities which have been explained forthwith. Data limitations were experienced during the work although ground trotting with the help of GPS was conducted for locating of homicide hotspots. GIS and IDW
techniques were employed for accuracy of the research. The heart of the city
emerged as the most sensitive homicide zone, though 2017 revealed substantial
decrease in homicides, thanks to the Karachi Operation. The study has revealed
that homicide hotspots keep shifting in third world cities and that appropriate
official guardian can substantially improve life and security conditions.

Keywords: Karachi, homicides, ethnic fault lines, spatiotemporal analysis, subdivisions