Sir: I, a citizen of Karachi, wish to draw attention towards an extremely important and agonising problem prevailing in our city. Due to inflation, the cost of living is growing out of reach of the common man. As the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, the rate of crime is rising. Street crimes in Karachi are at an alarming stage. People who use public transport are the main target of such criminality. Due to the uncertainty created, people are reluctant to go out to public places such as malls, parks and bus-stops, which are very risky places. Last week, relatives of mine were robbed in a graveyard. Gunmen looted their valuables. My uncle became agitated and reported it to the security guard of the graveyard. The guard said that a few days before, on resistance, two men were shot to death. I have found out that many students of my university are looted on their way home or to university. In fact, some of my friends had things stolen when they were near the vicinity of our university. Students studying in evening programmes are the most frequent victims of these unlawful acts. The higher authorities should take serious actions against lawlessness in the city. Campaigns for the uneducated and drug addicts must be organised every month to inform them about the negativity of their actions. Only literate people can make a strong and peaceful nation. Parents should give time to their children and make them aware about the negative effects of these crimes. Black sheep within the police force should be detected and efforts should be made to improve the police system so that criminals are duly punished. I hope that the concerned authorities wake up before it is too late. SYEDA MAHAM KAZMI Karachi