Pakistan Soap Manufacturers Association (PSMA) Chairman and Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry former president Abdullah Zaki has expressed deep concern over the abrupt upsurge in incidents of target killings, followed by some arrests and sit-ins in different parts of the city which have triggered anxiety amongst the citizens of Karachi, particularly the members of business and industrial community.
In a statement issued here on Monday, Abdullah Zaki stated that a sit-in was staged at the National Highway on Monday morning, causing severe traffic jams at Jinnah Avenue, Malir 15, Airport, Kala Board and other nearby areas, which resulted in multiplying hardships for the masses, particularly those intending to reach their offices.
He said that it was a matter of grave concern that despite stern operation underway since September 2013, the city still remained highly prone to serious lawlessness as peace could be sabotaged in any area overnight by some outlaws.
These terrorists, he observed, fearlessly carried arms even in broad daylight without getting noticed, targeted innocent people and easily fled from the spot to go for the next target which was recently witnessed when same pistol and bike were used by unknown terrorists to kill 6 people in less than an hour on the streets of Karachi.
He was of the opinion that although the police and Rangers have been claiming to have arrested many target killers, seized huge caches of weapons from time to time and have been making all out efforts to ensure peace in Karachi but whenever any incident pertaining to target killing occurred, it left behind a negative impression about the law-enforcing agencies due to their tall claims about the achievements in Karachi operation.
Abdullah Zaki further drew the attention of LEAs towards street crimes which have also increased in almost all parts of the city. “How can armed men fearlessly loot the public and move boldly on the streets of Karachi where the police and Rangers can be seen carrying out intense snap checking at any point in almost all the localities”, he asked, adding that the citizens have been constantly complaining about the misconduct of police officers who carried out snap checking with only intention to seek bribe from the poor citizens.
He further feared that the Karachi operation, which was initiated to completely restore peace on sustainable basis, has probably decelerated, providing target killers a perfect opportunity to resurface again. “There was a time when the federal government took keen interest in Karachi operation whereas the prime minister personally monitored the activities and achievements on quarterly basis but not anymore. ‘It has been quite some time when our PM specially visited this city to review Karachi operation which clearly indicates that the level of interest by the federal government has descended sharply which is really worrisome for all of us.”
He said that the business and industrial community of Karachi wanted to expand its businesses but they were unable to do so mainly because of the uncertainty in terms of law and order which not only discouraged local businessmen to go for expansion but also hindered foreign direct investment in the city which has to be addressed at any cost.
Abdullah Zaki urged the federal government, Sindh government and LEAs heads to take notice of the situation emerging nowadays and devise an effective strategy to completely get rid of criminals responsible for sabotaging peace in the financial hub of Pakistan. “The Karachi operation must be intensified and made more stringent in order to ensure peace across the city on sustainable basis”, he added.
