Eminent industrialists of Karachi have appealed to Sindh government and police to make a security plan for Ramazan like that of Muharram to control street crimes.
They said approximately 60% of workers were being rendered unemployed because of the closure of a large number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and four-day working week in large-scale manufacturing industries (LSMIs), caused by the runaway cost of energy and other expenses over the past two years.
They called for enhancing patrolling and snap checking with a view to preventing criminal activities ahead of Ramazan. The crime rate is at the alarming level with a 15% rise annually.
The industrialists emphasised that until the Karachi Safe City project was implemented and state-of-the-art surveillance cameras were installed on streets, the crime rate could not be controlled.
“In addition to police, traffic wardens of the city must be trained and a fool-proof security plan must be made for Ramazan as around 60% workers are out of jobs and the law and order situation might be worse,” Pakistan Business Group Founder and Chairman Farazur Rehman said while sharing his views with The Express Tribune.
“A large number of SMEs are completely shut and LSMIs are just working four days a week because of energy crisis and other economic problems. Daily-wage earners are facing the nadir these days.”
He appealed to Sindh government and Sindh Inspector General of Police to ensure a security plan for Ramazan, otherwise there might be a serious law and order situation. “All trade bodies and associations are poised to support the government and its law enforcement agencies.”
He was of the view that giving billions of rupees in subsidies, Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) cards and health cards were not a solution and the government must draw up an industrial policy to promote industrialisation and eliminate unemployment and poverty.
Site Association of Industry (SAI) Law and Order Committee Chairman Abdul Hadi said, “15% rise in street crimes is being witnessed per annum and if it is not curbed, there might be a poor law and order situation reminiscent of the days of 2012-13.”
He pointed out that there were multiple reasons for street crimes such as rising unemployment, massive influx of people from other provinces, encroachments and broken road infrastructure. He pleaded for pre-emptive action against criminals who deprive people of their valuables.
North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry (NKATI) President Faisal Moiz Khan asked for preventing criminal activities and addressing the security situation in the North Karachi industrial area.
In a statement, Khan stressed the need for increasing police patrols at entry and exit points under strict supervision. He emphasised the importance of implementing effective measures to create a conducive environment, while allowing the industrial community and workers to commute to their factories without fear.
He quoted Deputy Inspector General of Police West Karachi Captain (Retd) Asim Khan as saying that the DIG had assured the NKATI president of improving the security situation and addressing security concerns during his visit to the NKATI office.
The DIG instructed the police officers concerned to increase patrolling in the area in response to the requests made by the industrialists.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 10th, 2024.
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