Deteriorating law, order: Sindh chief minister visits markets, speaks to traders

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah has assured business community that the government is committed to improving the law and order situation to revive the commercial and industrial activities in the city. Sindh CM paid a surprise visit to various markets located in the old city area, M A Jinnah Road and Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and discussed prevailing law and order situation and commercial and industrial activities in the city with traders at various spots.
KCCI President Mian Abrar Ahmad and others were present at the chamber. Qaim Ali Shah said it was prime duty of the government to protect lives and properties of people. He claimed that as a result of security measures adopted by the law enforcing agencies the situation was getting better, according to those present at chamber.
The CM said it was the prime duty of police, rangers and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to control law and order situation in the province particularly in Karachi. The Sindh CM expressed his sorrows on recent incidents in the city and said the government had decided to adopt all precautionary preventive and proactive measures to combat and control the situation on priority basis.
He assured the businessmen community, industrialists and traders that prompted relief would be provided to them while criminals, Bhatta Khors, robbers etc would be apprehended soon. Qaim Ali Shah added that police had been directed to bring results overall in Karachi and particularly in South, which was the centre of commerce, trade and business and located headquarters of banks, main wholesale markets, trade centre, etc.
He further said that he had given free hand to police to maintain law and order and maintain peace at every cost, adding that action be taken against those who were involved in criminal activities without any distinction or favour. KCCI President Mian Abrar Ahmed lauded Sindh CM for his visit to the markets and asserted upon the need of executing concrete safety, security measures with visible results. Mian Abrar Ahmad also apprised the Sindh CM about successful visit of Karachi Chamber's delegation to USA under his lead.
He stated that the KCCI delegation met with important dignitaries of US State Department and other organisations whereby he lobbied that Pakistan did't want aid but trade and market access. In a meeting with USAID officials, to enhance Pak-US bilateral trade he also gave a unique concept of "Aid for Trade", he added.
He informed the Sindh CM that the KCCI delegation also urged the USAID to prepare developmental and investment plan in marble sector and granite sector particularly in Sindh. He said KCCI delegation also shunned the biased perception of Pakistan being depicted by some foreign media and portrayed real and true image of Pakistan with all its strengths.
Viewpoints was also given on energy, Pak-Iran gas pipeline and signing of Pak-US Bilateral Investment Treaty following by Pak-US FTA. Upon the invitation and request by KCCI President, the Sindh CM also expressed his consent to inaugurate KCCI's My-Karachi Exhibition scheduled to be organised from July 13 to 15, at Karachi Expo Centre. During the visit of markets, the CM came out of his car and visited community policing Chowki near Allahwala Market Complex.
He directed the SSP South to increase police force at Chowki and to continue patrolling and checking process to eradicate the menace of Bhatta Khori from trade and commercial areas. He also met with people there, who informed the CM that the trend of Bhatta Khori had decreased, yet there were still some persons indulged in Bhatta Khori who sent Perchies demanding money.
The CM advised them to lodge complaints against any crime so that police should take prompt action. He also directed the Police and Rangers officials to further accelerate the efforts against menace of Bhatta Khori and to take prompt action against those involved in target killing.
He further directed for patrolling of every thinners street of old city including thickly populated business centres of Jodia Bazaar, Kaghzi Bazaar, Napair Road, Kharadar, Denso Hall etc so as to maintain law and order. Mithadar SHO Aurangzeb informed that due to concerted efforts, the criminals and Bhatta Khors were under strict watch and prompt action had been initiated against them.
SPO Kharadar Agha Asadullah said that 100 constables had been provided from Sindh Reserve Police and there were 1,220 constables already at police station. Qaim Ali Shah visited lock-up where four prisoners were kept. Out of them, one was target killer belonging to PS Kharadar while the others were arrested under section 54 belonging to PS Mithadar.