Fleeing the bullet: For Pakhtun political leaders, traders twin cities a safe haven

Forsaking Karachi to escape extortionists, target killers.

RAWALPINDI:

Rising incidents of kidnapping for ransom, extortion and attacks by militants have forced Pakhtun traders and political leaders to move out of Karachi. For many, the preferred destinations are the twin cities.

After interviews and meetings with several traders and political leaders of the Awami National Party (ANP), The Express Tribune learnt that Mehsud, Swat and Mohmand chapters of a militant group have increased their activities in the city since June 2011.

Traders said incidents of target killing, particularly of ANP leaders and extortion have morphed into organised crime, forcing them to shift or abandon their businesses.

An ANP leader, who has survived several attempts on his life, said on condition of anonymity, ANP provincial and district leaders had recently moved to the twin cities.

“Senator Shahi Syed who is the provincial president of ANP spends most of his time in Islamabad or Dubai,” the leader said. Other leaders include former provincial labour minister Ameer Nawab, former MPA Amanullah Mehsud, former information secretary Riaz Gul and Aman Khattak.

Traders and ANP leaders from Karachi have purchased property and are setting up businesses in the twin cities. “In G sectors, Bani Gala, Bhara Kahu, Tarnol, Bahria Town and other suburban areas property prices have shot up due to rise in its demand,” said Muhammad Awais, a property dealer. Most traders come from Site Town, Sohrab Goth, Metrovel, Banaras and Manghopir, Karachi.

When contacted, Karachi-based journalist Ziaur Rahman said well-off Pakhtun traders and political leaders have shifted to Lahore, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Middle class families based in Karachi have moved to their hometowns in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Senator Shahi Syed confirmed that Pakhtun traders and political leaders were receiving extortion letters. The amount the extortionists demand is too high to be paid, he said.

“Those Mohajir and Sindhi traders who can afford to are shifting their businesses to Dubai and Malaysia while Pakhtuns and Punjabi traders are moving to the twin cities and Lahore,” Syed said. “ANP’s leadership is on the hit list of militants.” Karachi CID Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mazhar Mashwani, while speaking to The Express Tribune said, “Pakhtuns can shift their businesses to their native towns, but Mohajir and Sindhi traders have no other option but to pay extortion.”

When asked why the police had failed to stop extortion, the SSP said it was too much to expect from the understaffed police force. “With better equipment, recruitment on merit and zero political interference we can stop this menace.”  “Karachi CID has only 470 officials across the province. Political interference and threats to their lives have made their jobs difficult.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2014.