Spike in extortion as overseas gangs tighten grip

Karachi Police Chief Additional IG Azad Khan on Monday warned of a sharp rise in extortion incidents over the past two weeks, attributing the trend to gangsters operating from abroad and confirming that red warrants have been issued for five key suspects.

Addressing a gathering at the SITE Association of Industry, AIG Khan said the issuance of red warrants had already forced the nominated gangsters to scale down their activities, while law enforcement agencies were taking further steps to tighten the noose around them.

He added that a recent targeted crackdown had been carried out against the Samad Kathiawari group, and that details, including phone numbers and other information of suspects operating from foreign countries, had been shared with relevant international authorities.

Speaking on broader challenges, AIG Khan said that encroachments in industrial areas were adversely affecting business activity and projecting a negative image to foreign visitors.

He added that a comprehensive anti-encroachment plan had been finalised jointly by the commissioner and the mayor of Karachi, with police tasked with enforcement. "Encroachments are primarily an administrative issue, but the role of enforcement lies with the police," he said, adding that implementation would begin soon.

The city police chief stressed that Karachi's security was directly tied to the country's overall stability, underscoring that improved law and order was essential for industrial growth and job creation.

Highlighting resource challenges, AIG Khan revealed that the department would not be able to undertake any procurement this year, including the purchase of new vehicles, due to the absence of a development budget.

Despite financial constraints, he said, police remained committed to maintaining law and order and combating crime across the city.

He acknowledged that street crime continued to pose a major challenge, but claimed that overall crime had declined by 15% over the past six months.

Referring to the broader security environment, AIG Khan said the country continued to face threats of terrorism, though law enforcement agencies remained vigilant and active. "Threats still exist, but all institutions are fully mobilised," he added.

He also highlighted improvements in investigative capacity, stating that the detection rate for major crimes had reached 80%, largely due to the use of surveillance cameras. He cited the swift resolution of the Dr Akash murder case as an example of technology-driven policing.