Eight suspects busted in crackdown on extortion rackets in Karachi

SIU claims 95% success in tracing extortion cases, making over 90 arrests in 2025

Eight suspected extortionists have been arrested as police stepped up a crackdown against extortion targeting traders and builders in the metropolitan city. The suspects were traced using international phone numbers linked to locations such as Iran, Dubai, Nigeria, and the Philippines.

Police revealed that the suspects had been using these numbers to threaten traders and builders, demanding hefty sums of money in exchange for protection or to avoid harm.

Provincial police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon confirmed that at least eight major extortion incidents had been reported in various parts of the city. The first of these incidents occurred on September 27 in Malir, followed by others in Bahadurabad, Soldier Bazaar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Nazimabad, and Garden. In each case, the extortionists used international phone numbers to intimidate their victims.

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Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the CIA Police released its annual report, stating that 171 extortion-related cases had been registered in 2025. Of these, 75 were confirmed as genuine extortion cases, while the remaining 96 involved disputes over transactions, land, personal matters, or other conflicts.

According to a spokesperson for the SIU, 71 of the 75 confirmed extortion cases were successfully traced, yielding a 95% success rate. A total of 128 suspects were identified, of whom six were killed in encounters with the SIU, and 14 others were arrested with injuries.

In total, 91 suspects have been arrested in connection with extortion activities this year. The spokesperson emphasized that efforts will continue to restore law and order in the metropolitan city.

Hafeez Aziz, head of the Police-Chamber Liaison Committee, expressed frustration over the lack of action from federal authorities despite several appeals. He noted that although the police had requested red warrants for the suspects, none had been issued. Aziz stressed that, with the proper authority and resources, police could eliminate extortion within a week.