A fter achieving relative success in the ongoing operations in Karachi against target killers, Pakistan Rangers would soon launch crackdowns against extortionists.
Insiders told Pakistan Today that Rangers have chalked out a strategy to deal with extortionists.
Initially, Rangers would be deployed at the markets hit by extortion and pickets would be set up there. After intelligence is shared, a final operation would be launched against extortionists.
The paramilitary force made the decision to launch this campaign after the apex court observed that extortion is one of the root causes behind the unrest in the city.
Rangers would be deployed in the markets and shopping centres of the old city area including Saddar, Kharadar and Meethadar where complaints of extortion are higher. Later, markets in other sensitive areas would be covered.
All Karachi Tajir Ittehad President Atiq Mir told Pakistan Today there has been a considerable decline in traders in the old city area receiving threat calls from extortionists.
“Extortion has reduced by around 50 percent in the markets of the old city area after Rangers were deployed in Kharadar and Meethadar,” he added.
“A few days back, Pakistan Rangers South Zone Wing Commander Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Saad met with a traders’ delegation to discuss the situation. He assured the traders that they would be provided with security and the paramilitary force would be deployed in some of extortion-hit markets,” he added.
He said that traders have requested Rangers to launch a helpline like 15 so that they can contact the paramilitary force immediately and easily when they receive threats from criminals.
“We have also requested the wing commander to set up complaint centres at markets,” he added.
