Traders of Karachi are likely to launch campaign for the replacement of Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah for his alleged failure to provide security to trader’s community of the metropolis, it is learnt.
Besides, traders community turned against the business community of Karachi for their alleged support to provincial government by playing role of ‘silent spectator’ over targeted killing and growing incidents of extortion collection from traders.
Traders of Karachi under the banner of All Karachi Tajir Ittehad (AKTI) will hold a meeting on Tuesday (today) to review law and order situation in the city’s markets and shopping centres. The meeting would discuss response of administration over complaints filed by traders in the city police stations over growing terrorist activities in the markets. Increasing incidents of extortion, kidnapping for ransom and killing of those traders who refused to pay extortion would also be discussed in the meeting.
After a detailed discussion over above mentioned issues, traders would devise their future course of action against the provincial government for their alleged failure in curbing increasing incidents of crime in the markets and silence of the law enforcers.
Till now over two dozens of traders have been targeted and killed for non-payment of extortion. Many traders were kidnapped and later released after payment of ransom money. The markets of Old City Area, Nishtar Road, Garden and now Liaquatabad were the main focus of the extortionists where number of traders have been extorted and many others were killed over non-payment of extortion money. Talking to Pakistan Today, AKTI Chairman Atiq Mir said that there was no concept of good governance in the province. He said traders had given 72-hour ultimatum to the government to ensure security of traders and markets but instead of issuing statement in the press, it had failed to materialize its commitment. “There is no decline in incidents of extortion collection, kidnapping for ransom and targeted killings of the traders, Mir said, adding that an emergency meeting of city traders had been called on Tuesday (today) to review the situation after expiry of given deadline.”
“We can issue a strike call after meeting but the time period of the strike would be announced after developing consensus between the traders, Mir said, adding that the trading activities during the strike would be suspended in the metropolis.”
President KCCI Mian Abrar when approached for comments said that AKTI had no importance for business community. “I will not issue any statement against AKTI allegations as the traders party has no importance for business community,” he added.
