Karachi businessmen back off for fear of gangs

Business community divided over whether to become a petitioner in SC hearing for fear that the mafia will target them.


Farhan Zaheer September 07, 2011
Karachi businessmen back off for fear of gangs

KARACHI:


Although Karachi’s business community wants the government to go after extortionists, it is divided over whether to become a petitioner in the Supreme Court’s suo motu notice for fear that the mafia will eventually target them.


Businessmen who had announced on Tuesday that they will file a petition in the court seemed to back off from the decision.

“The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry is not considering becoming a party to the case,” said KCCI President Saeed Shafiq but added that some industrialists might want to contribute in an individual capacity.

Wahab Lakhani, who chairs the SITE Association of Trade and Industry, reserved comment on the case, saying the matter was subjudice. However, he said, as an association they were not filing a petition.

“It is no secret that businessmen are so scared of political parties that they do not file FIRs against extortionists,” said a leading businessman, requesting anonymity. “It is true that the situation will not improve until businessmen come forward, but who will risk his life?”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th,  2011.

COMMENTS (6)

Salman Orangiwala | 13 years ago | Reply

Business Community MUST put their case forward to Supreme Court and reveal the cul-prits ,This might be their last chance to get rid off the menace ,as the 10,000 police appointed by Zulfiqar Mirza from the Interior of Sindh , is not going to protect you .

The people of Karachi know why these 10,000 police have been appointed by ZM from the Interior Sindh FOR Karachi , and this obvious they are not here to save you ,on the contrary this could be quite opposite . Just waith and see and mark my word .

asma riaz@london | 13 years ago | Reply

Your fear will be the cause of your downfall.By not coming forward and do what morally they should be doing, because they fear for their and their families lives, they are not making life for themselves or their families easier because they are still at gun point!! If they were any wiser they would fight against the zulm so that the future genarations can live in peace. Money comes and goes and the fact that everyone in karachi is under seige means whatever these businessmen own right now will be gone in due course and land in the posssession of the ones who are holding them at GUN POINT!!!! Be wise and think,

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