The Sindh Police have decided to form rapid response committees in the city’s seven industrial zones after traders and industrialists expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order in the country’s financial hub on Tuesday.
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Muhammad Haroon Agar demanded the government take immediate, sustainable and concrete security measures to give Karachiites, particularly the business and industrial community, a much-needed sense of security.
In an address to the Inspector General of Police (Sindh), Shahid Nadeem Baloch, and his team during a visit to KCCI, Agar said it was the prime responsibility of the government to maintain peace and ensure the safety of the lives and property of its citizens. He lamented lawlessness in the city’s markets, particularly in the old city area, at places such as Jodia Bazar and Jama Cloth Market. Violence has also been increasing at other markets along M.A. Jinnah Road, and the precious lives of several businessmen have been lost in bloodshed.
Criminal activities like extortion (bhatta), kidnapping and killing for ransom, and theft in industrial areas has grown rampant, causing widespread fear and harassment, Agar added. He also noted that the unbridled criminal activity against businessmen has shaken the confidence of the whole community on the reliability of law enforcing agencies. He said that members of the business community and delegations from various markets of the city have been approaching KCCI complaining about life threats or showing him receipts of extortion chits and bullets sent to them by criminals. His concerns were echoed by the Chairman of the Businessmen Group and former President of KCCI, Siraj Kassam Teli. Teli also criticised the government for failing to control the situation, and said that although KCCI had approached all the concerned quarters, commitments to the business community were never honoured and only momentary measures were taken.
On the occasion, Baloch announced the formation of committees for seven industrial zones where appointed focal persons will immediately respond to urgent situations such as life threats and the security of transported goods. He added that although resources cannot come overnight, he would make arrangements to ensure their required deployment.
The police chief said he can’t deny that in the past, some commitments to the security of the business community might not have been honoured. The police model is based on laws made during colonial rule, in 1861, and the business and industrial community has never raised their voice for police reforms like the availability of resources and technology, he said. Baloch added that it was a bitter reality that dishonest elements also exist within the police, but their number was low. The integrity of the entire department, moreover, should not be questioned seeing as many police officials have been martyred in the line of duty, protecting citizens.
