Extortionists whip up fear among businessmen

Three traders killed in a month after refusing to pay extortion money

KARACHI:

The resurgence of extortion in the city has heightened concerns among businessmen and industrialists. December witnessed 11 reported cases, a notable decrease from the 60 cases recorded throughout the just ended year.

Despite Karachi police’s claims to bolster law and order, street crime persists, leaving the business community uneasy. A network, allegedly from Iran and Afghanistan, is implicated in the deaths of three businessmen within a month due to non-payment of extortion demand. Apparently, Sindh police’s efforts to dismantle this network appear insufficient.

The recent incidents include the broad daylight killing of Shahzad Jafarani, a steel trader, in South district at city’s busiest market. A gang war operative involved in the murder was reportedly killed in a police encounter. In the New Karachi Industrial Area, Osama Moon, a businessman’s son, was attacked by suspects who had demanded extortion money.

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In the Central New Karachi Industrial Area, yarn trader Bilal was injured in a shop shooting, leading to arrests by the police. Another incident involved the killing of a marble trader in firing at a shop within the Sir Syed police station’s limits, with the subsequent arrest of the accused.

A suspect who had demanded Rs20 million worth of extortion money from a dyeing factory owner was apprehended within the Azizabad police station’s jurisdiction.

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The Citizen Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) reported 11 extortion cases in December, acknowledging that many cases go unreported due to businessmen’s fear of dire consequences from criminals.

Despite the establishment of a Specialized Investigation Unit (SIU) by the CIA to probe extortion cases, challenges persist in identifying suspects distributing extortion slips. As a result, industrialists are advised to remain vigilant regarding routes, timings, and vehicle changes during their journeys.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2024.