The law enforcing agencies (LEAs) seem helpless in controlling the extortionists who are on the rampage in the city, particularly in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Surjani Town, Scheme 33, Super Highway, and National Highway. The situation is so alarming that if remedial steps are not taken immediately, "ABAD members will be left with no option but to withdraw their investments and close down their projects and offices."
Babar Mirza Chughtai, Chairman of the Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD), in a letter sent to the President of Pakistan, has expressed his deep concern over this growing menace which is badly hampering the activities of builders and developers. "We make the following submission to you under a state of distress, apprehension, harassment and helplessness," he said, requesting immediate attention towards the ongoing unprecedented demands of 'Bhatta', by anti-social and criminal elements who claim to belong to certain political, sectarian and ethnic organisations, from ABAD members whose projects are under construction in the above areas."
They break into the offices of ABAD members and, if the demands of extortion by these armed criminals are not met, they hurl threats for their lives and kidnapping, ransacking, looting and plundering the offices and forcibly close down the work by threatening and beating the staff.
Chughtai said that the demand for Bhatta has created a panic among the builder community and it is becoming very difficult for them to continue their work under these horrifying conditions where the lives of builders are at stake. "We have brought this situation to the notice of relevant police authorities but regret to mention that no action has been taken to curb this hazard."
He has mentioned in the letter that the adverse conditions of law and order were brought to his notice in the meeting with him recently but no positive response has been seen from concerned authorities. It is a setback for the confidence-building measures of the government and its efforts towards creating an environment conducive to attract investment in the city. A place where builders are very much concerned about their own life and property due to lack of security and are helpless to protect themselves, they will be left with no option but to withdraw their investments and close down their projects and offices, he said.
The situation is not only destroying the housing industry but also destroying the economy of the country. In view of this predicament, ABAD earnestly requested that urgent steps may be taken to stop this menace before it gets out of hand so that the builders' community carries on its construction activities in peace without fearing for their lives and property, he said.
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