It is a great pity that law-abiding citizens have to hide in order to protect themselves.
LAHORE: This is with reference to the rising incidence of extortion in Punjab, which is a new phenomenon for the province and had previously been associated with Karachi only. My brother is a businessman and carpet exporter, and lives in DHA, Phase VIII, Lahore. He has received many threats from unknown extortionists, who demand money and in case of non-compliance, threaten him with dire consequences. These unknown extortionists even made an attempt on his life on November 7 that he thankfully survived. They fired at him, while he was in his car at the Quaid-e-Azam interchange ring road. An FIR has been filed after this incident.
Due to the grievous threats faced, my brother and his family have gone into hiding until the time these criminals are arrested. We request the chief minister of Punjab to please help us in this time of need and order the law enforcement agencies to arrest these extortionists as soon as possible.
Article 9 of the Constitution guarantees the right to life and liberty to every citizen of Pakistan.
It is a great pity that law-abiding citizens have to hide in order to protect themselves. The state is duty bound to provide protection to its citizens.
Farooq Bashir Butt
Published in The Express Tribune, November 19th, 2013.
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