Karachi’s law and order situation continues to anger businesses

FPCCI calls for army to assist civil administration.

KARACHI: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has called upon the army to play a role in helping the civil government maintain law and order in Karachi.

“Asking the army to intervene in Karachi does not mean military rule in country,” the business forum clarified. “The businesspersons of Karachi demand the army help civil government in improving security in the city as per its constitutional role.”

Speaking to a press conference at the FPCCI head office on Friday, businessmen said that the militant wings of political parties in the coalition government are responsible for the deteriorating security condition in the country’s commercial.

“The security situation in the city is far from satisfactory,” said FPCCI acting president Shaikh Haroon Rasheed. “If the government fails to act by November 8, the businessmen will strike again.”

Replying to questions from media persons, businessmen said that the government has failed in controlling the militant wings of political parties, which is why the intervention of the army is necessary.

Political parties use their influence to pressurise the police and Rangers to release militant workers. In these conditions, businessmen cannot trust security agencies, they added.

They reiterated that kidnapping for ransom and target killings have badly damaged the business environment in the financial and industrial capital of Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 20^th, 2012.