Karachi’s Lyari Gang War

• Introduction

Lyari, one of Karachi’s oldest and most culturally rich neighborhoods, became synonymous with fear, violence, and gang warfare during the late 1990s and 2000s. The Lyari Gang War remains one of the darkest chapters in Pakistan’s criminal history. Among its most horrifying incidents was the brutal killing of Arshad Pappu, a notorious gangster, whose death shocked not only Pakistan but also audiences worldwide.

This article explores the Arshad Pappu horror, the rise of Rehman Dakait, the role of political patronage, and how Lyari transformed into a war zone ruled by gang lords.

• The Shocking Football Incident: A Symbol of Brutality

One of the most chilling stories to emerge from the Lyari Gang War involved a crowd gathered in celebration, seemingly watching a football match. What shocked onlookers—and later the entire nation—was the revelation that the “football” being kicked around was actually the severed head of Arshad Pappu.

This horrifying act was later confirmed in police investigations and testimonies, including statements by Uzair Baloch, another key gang figure. The incident symbolized the extreme brutality and lawlessness that had taken over Lyari.

• Who Was Arshad Pappu?

Arshad Pappu was not an innocent victim. He was a feared gangster linked to extortion, kidnapping for ransom, drug trafficking, and gruesome murders. At one point, he openly bragged about dismembering his enemies, gaining a reputation as one of Lyari’s most ruthless criminals.

His violent end reflected the same cruelty he once inflicted on others—highlighting a grim reality of gang wars: violence ultimately consumes its own creators.

• Rise of Rehman Dakait: From Street Kid to Gang Kingpin

• Early Life in Lyari

Abdul Rehman Baloch, widely known as Rehman Dakait, was born in 1976 in Lyari’s impoverished surroundings. After losing his father at a young age, he dropped out of school and was quickly drawn into street crime.

By his teenage years, Rehman had already committed violent offenses, marking his entry into the criminal underworld.

• Entry into Organized Crime

Rehman initially joined the gang of Arif Baloch, later committing his first confirmed murders in the early 1990s. His reputation for fearlessness caught the attention of Haji Lalo, a powerful crime boss and political fixer, who became his patron.

This alliance allowed Rehman Dakait to expand rapidly, controlling drug dens, gambling hubs, and extortion networks across Lyari and Karachi’s old city areas.

• Political Patronage and the Lyari Gang War

One of the most controversial aspects of the Lyari Gang War was its deep connection with politics. Criminal gangs often enjoyed protection due to their influence over votes and street power.

Rehman Dakait eventually became associated with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and even served as part of Benazir Bhutto’s security, a fact that raised serious questions about state complicity and governance failure.

At the same time, rival gangs—particularly Arshad Pappu’s group—were reportedly backed by opposing political forces, turning Lyari into a proxy battlefield.

• Rehman Dakait vs Arshad Pappu: A Deadly Rivalry

The rivalry between Rehman Dakait and Arshad Pappu escalated into full-scale gang warfare. Both sides targeted each other’s families, associates, and supporters. Kidnappings, targeted killings, and public executions became routine.

The murder of Uzair Baloch’s father by Arshad Pappu’s gang pushed the conflict beyond reconciliation, eventually leading to Pappu’s brutal lynching by an enraged mob.

• Police Encounters and the Role of Chaudhry Aslam

The Lyari operation brought Chaudhry Aslam, a senior Karachi police officer, into direct conflict with Rehman Dakait. Multiple raids, encounters, and failed arrests followed.

Despite being arrested several times, Rehman managed dramatic escapes, allegedly with insider support. His final arrest in 2009 ended with a controversial police encounter, where Rehman Dakait and his associates were killed—an incident still debated as an extrajudicial killing.

• Aftermath: Did the Violence End?

Rehman Dakait’s death did not immediately end the Lyari Gang War. Leadership passed to Uzair Baloch, and violence continued for years. It was only after large-scale security operations that Lyari gradually returned to relative calm.

Thousands had already lost their lives, and an entire generation grew up amid gunfire, fear, and trauma.

• Conclusion: A Lesson Written in Blood

The Arshad Pappu horror and the story of Rehman Dakait are not just crime tales—they are warnings. They expose how poverty, political exploitation, weak law enforcement, and unchecked power can destroy entire communities.