The residents of Shanti Nagar area of Sindhi Mohalla have claimed that police are reluctant to act against target killers, extortionists and drug dealers in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town, compelling them to remain indoors after Maghrib prayers.
They said that a group of up to 40 people, allegedly the activists of the Awami National Party (ANP) headed by a drug dealer of the area – Israr Ahmed alias Shahrukh Khan – has been harassing them by displaying weapons, snatching cell phones, collecting extortion money and selling drugs in the area.
Interestingly, these men also include target killers, wanted by the police in more than nine murder cases however the police are hesitant to take action against them. One of the target killers is Faik Khan, whose name was among the of list of 500 target killers presented by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in the National Assembly recently, a source privy to the matter told Pakistan Today.
Addressing a news conference at Karachi Press Club on Wednesday, General Secretary of Shanti Nagar Welfare Association Gul Hassan Bhambhro said that Aleem Dad, Faik Khan, Gul Nabi, Saleem Dad and few other armed persons kidnapped Jalil Ahmed Soomro, a shopkeeper, few days back and released him after torturing him for two hours as he refused to pay them extortion money.
The gang also opened indiscriminate fire on innocent people buying iftar items, leaving two people including Fattah Mohammad Soomro, a chef of the Pakistan Navy, and a youth, Nazeer Ahmed Mugheri, seriously injured.
After the whole episode, the residents staged a protest on the Main University Road and blocked the road demanding the arrest of the criminals, he said, adding that two FIRs 487/2011 and 488/2011 were also registered with the Aziz Bhatti police. “But, the police seem reluctant to take any action against the nominated criminals despite the passage of many days,” Bhambhro said.
Bhambhro that Israr is the man heading the extortion and drug mafia in the area and is also involved in land grabbing and targeted killings.
“We [the association] have forwarded an application to President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan and Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah demanding that we should be provided with justice and strict action be taken against criminals,” he added.