OICCI Survey 2025 Shows Security Gains in Major Pakistani Cities but Highlights Regional Challenges

Karachi: The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) has released its Annual Security Survey 2025, showing a marked improvement in security across Pakistan’s major business hubs, including Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. The survey, which covers the period from June 2024 to May 2025, indicates a significant decrease in serious crimes and street crimes in these cities, enhancing the perception of personal safety for employees during their daily commutes.

Over 70 percent of the survey’s respondents noted a decline in severe crimes in Karachi, Lahore, and the broader Punjab region. In Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, street crimes saw a noteworthy reduction, contributing to improved safety perceptions.

Despite these positive trends, the survey highlights ongoing security issues in certain sensitive areas. Peshawar and Quetta, while experiencing a slight decrease in street crimes, remain perceived as less secure. In Balochistan, a deterioration in serious crime rates was reported compared to the previous year, contrasting with the positive trends in other provinces. This disparity underscores persistent security concerns that affect Pakistan’s global image and investor confidence.

Security continues to rank among the top three concerns for Chief Executives, indicating that sustained and comprehensive improvements are crucial for maintaining business confidence. OICCI Secretary General, M Abdul Aleem, noted that while the survey reflects optimism with gains in major cities, broadening these improvements is necessary to maintain momentum and assure stakeholders of Pakistan’s security trajectory.

The survey also found that overseas business visits to Pakistan remained consistent with 2024 levels. A decline in meetings held abroad suggests growing confidence in Pakistan’s internal security environment, with travel postponements mainly attributed to geopolitical tensions rather than domestic security issues.

OICCI has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with government and law enforcement agencies to foster a secure business climate across Pakistan.