‘Give us protection from extortionists and we will deliver’

Business community share their concerns with the newly elected CM.

KARACHI: The business community expressed their concerns over the rising incidents of extortion and reiterated their demand for protection from this menace in a meeting with chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah at the residence of prominent businessman Siraj Qassam Teli.

“We are under a constant threat of being killed or kidnapped. If we are not provided adequate protection, we would be left with no other option but to sit at home,” said the representatives of the business community.

The meeting, which continued for about an hour, followed a letter written to the CM by Teli on behalf of the businessmen. The letter bemoaned the fact that despite measures by the law enforcement agencies and promises by the successive governments, extortion remains a thriving business.

Speaking to the media later, Teli said not a single day goes by without a trader receiving a ‘parchi’ [extortion chit] from criminals. No market is free of this nuisance, he said. “If the CM wants, we can produce the victims harassed by the extortion mafia. Please provide us security so that we can continue our business activity without any fear.”

He said that the old city areas are the worst hit and suggested setting up a cell at CM House, consisting of representatives of the business community, the police and the Sindh government, to deal with this problem.



“Industrialists are moving their units out of Karachi due to the precarious law and order situation. Give us full protection and we will deliver and bring in investment.”

Later, Shah informed the media that he had come to inquire after Teli’s health but other issues also came under discussion, especially extortion. He said that he has been given some suggestions, which will be discussed in the next cabinet meeting. He refused, however, to divulge them to the media.

Sindh information minister Sharjeel Memon, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Haroon Agar and Sindh Board of Investment chairman Zubair Motiwala were also present at the meeting.

Capacity enhancement

Meanwhile, the Sindh Police decided to equip the anti-Bhatta cell established by the Special Investigation Unit with GSM locators to further enhance its capacity in tracking down and arresting extortionists. The decision was taken in a meeting at the Central Police Office with the Sindh IGP Shahid Nadeem Baloch. The meeting was informed that a total of 237 complaints have been received in this year thus far. The cell managed to detect 70 of them, arrested 57 alleged extortionists and seized 98 SIMs from their possession.

The IGP asked for a proper follow-up of such cases in the courts to ensure such elements are punished and directed that capable officers be appointed in the cell for a result-oriented action against the Bhatta mafia.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 4^th, 2013.