Businessmen frightened of rising extortion in Ramazan

Businessmen are frightened over the rising trend of extortion's during Ramazan from various political and religious parties in the metropolis, saying it is difficult for them to carry on trade amid threats and violence. "At least three teams of each influential and militant political and religious group come to every trader and demand thousands of rupees extortion since the holy month has begun," said a trader of the old city area markets.
These city's outlaws have no fears of police or any other law enforcing agency, he said, adding that traders were already facing huge financial losses due to the dull trade activity in the wake of violence in the city. Talking to Business Recorder, President of Old City Traders Alliance, Jamil Paracha showed worries over the increasing trend of extortion in the markets, saying that traders had already been in financial crisis and such demands by outlaws would push them towards "bankruptcy".
However, he said a campaign had been started to inspire buyers to visit the markets in Ramazan, as the government had taken steps to enhance security. He hoped public's presence would soon be witnessed at the different retail markets in the city.
"We representatives of traders have jointly visited different markets talked to shopkeepers and buyers ensuring them about the security," he said, adding that the traders had also announced to keep shops open till late night hours during Ramazan.
He said the government had also responded positively to the traders' concerns about the security issue in the markets, adding that it would also boost the businessmen's confidence. He also confirmed that traders had complaints about threats from outlaws for extortion.
Paracha said that an urgent meeting of traders had been called on next Sunday to review the situation after the rise in the cases of extortion in the market, which had become a usual trend of everyday. He said if the government did not take steps in this regard to stop extortioners then traders would have decided a new line of action.