Extortion plagues Karachi’s industries

KARACHI:

Businessmen have expressed serious concerns and are worried about the increasing slippages of extortion and targeted killing of traders, demanding the government and law enforcement agencies to take action against the criminals who are spreading terror in North Karachi, Haradhar, Mithandar, Korangi and other areas.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, they pointed out that those running Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have recently received a significant number of blackmails.

“Industrialist Usama Moon, who belongs to the North Karachi Association of Commerce and Industry (NKATI), was killed in a targeted attack a few days ago. In addition, three other industrialists received extortion bills (slips). We are sincerely concerned about the sudden rising tide of such heinous crimes in the last three months. After a poor law and order situation, many people who were encouraged to invest are now reluctant to start or run businesses. I appeal to those in power to immediately take strict action against extortionists, target killers and street criminals. We fear a repeat of the gruesome incidents that took place in 2012 and 2013. Moreover, we have a scheduled meeting today with DG Rangers, who has assured us of deployment of more force in the area to control and maintain law and order in my industrial zone “, he said. NKATI President Faisal Moiz Khan.

He said police were investigating the industrialist’s targeted killing while arresting dozens of suspected extortionists.

Strongly condemning the new wave of street crimes and targeted killings, Site Association of Industry (SAI) President Muhammad Kamran Arbi urged all law enforcement agencies to play their part to curb the situation. He stressed the need for a smooth business environment as industrialists and the business community are already facing rising business costs.

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Businessmen’s Group (BMG) chairman Zubair Motiwala said in a statement that the overall situation has become extremely alarming, significantly affecting investment sentiment. The business community is in doubt whether to continue their business here or leave the country. Referring to the successive target killings of traders in Timber Market, North Karachi, and the recent incident at Gurumandir, he called for an improvement in the situation given the existing challenges of inflation.

Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh reported that shopkeepers and traders in the busiest commercial markets, including Kharadar and Meethadar, have started receiving extortion threats. In addition, there is a frequent occurrence of armed robberies.

“We are completely serious and sincere about dealing strictly with the situation, especially the increase in extortion activities and kidnapping for ransom incidents,” said Additional Inspector General of Police Khadim Hussain Rind, addressing a meeting during his visit to KCCI. Acknowledging the concerns about the rise in crimes, he pledged to deal strictly with all these elements, ensuring a safe environment for the business community and local residents. He also appointed SSP District City South Zone Amjad Hayat as the focal person to deal with all law and order issues raised by KCCI.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^u2023.

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