Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has directed the chief of police in Karachi to bring back community policing and address the street crime in SITE and other commercial and business centres and housing societies where extortion, kidnapping for ransom and robberies are rampant.
During a meeting with traders and businessmen at CM House on Saturday, Shah directed Saud Mirza to also arrange for police pickets at sensitive business areas, including Denso Hall, Jodia Bazar, Boulton Market, Tower, New Chaali and Kharadar.
Earlier, Siraj Kassim Teli, who was leading the business community, briefed the chief minister about the problems being faced by businessmen, traders and industrialists in the city. Some groups demand extortion from traders and if they refuse, the criminals “threat businessmen via phone and text messages”. “We have given the phone numbers and other details [of the extortionists] to the police, but nothing tangible has happened,” he said.
Teli demanded the government provide a “locator system” to the Capital City Police to identify the location of criminals and block their phones.
Addressing the Sindh home minister, Zulfiqar Mirza, the businessmen said, “We are left no other option but to shut our businesses.”
In response, Mirza said that some criminals are using fake identities which delays arrests. “We have arrested some criminals and will soon reach the mainstream gangs,” he said.
It was also decided that the Public Safety Commission programme will be activated soon.
A campaign will also be launched in which all arms licences will be cancelled and only computerised licences will be issued.
The chief minister said that magisterial powers are being revived for the maintenance of law and order and price control.
The federal government has been approached and necessary amendments will be made, he assured.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 03rd, 2011.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ