Warning bells: Afghan govt urged to take action against extortionists threatening traders

CM threatens to cease protection of Afghan refugees residing in province

PESHAWAR: The government of Afghanistan has been asked to take action against phone calls from extortionists who are repeatedly threatening traders in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. If suitable measures are not taken, the provincial government will not be responsible for the well-being of Afghan refugees residing in K-P.

This was announced by Chief Minister Pervez Khattak during a condolence reference for veteran trader Haji Halim Jan at Chamber of Small Trade and Small Industry in the city on Friday.

The chief minister added he has also written a letter to the federal government asking them to either deploy Ranger forces in the city or return the Frontier Constabulary (FC) back to K-P.

Backlash

Khattak said he had urged the Afghan government to take steps against extortionists who call traders in the province and demand large sums of money.

“If they cannot assist us in this matter, we have no obligation to provide support and protection to refugees in K-P,” he said.

Responding to a question, the chief minister informed ever since Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf seized the reins in K-P, it asked the federal interior ministry to not only give a specific timeframe for the safe return of Afghan refugees but also to take steps for their proper registration.

Khattak added peace in the region was linked to the security situation in Afghanistan.

“Unless Kabul is stable, peace will not be ensured in K-P,” he said.

The chief minister asked traders to stand united against militancy and continue their business activities while the administration worked for their protection.

Ensuring protection

The chief minister also said he had considered their demand about the deployment of Rangers in the city in order to tighten security for traders.

“I have written a letter to the federal government and urged it to either return FC to the province or deploy a force of Rangers,” he said.

Khattak added efforts were being made to declare Peshawar a safe city like Islamabad.

He said they will install security cameras in every part of the province and recruit and deploy more security officials.

Pakistan Peoples Party leader and businessman Syed Zahir Ali Shah said Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has the authority to block SIMs with a single notification.

He asked the chief minister to pressurise PTCL to take steps in this regard and block all calls from Afghan extortionists.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 19^th, 2016.