Security at markets: small traders say government failed to fulfil its pledges

Small traders on Friday said the government failed to fulfil its pledges to beef up security at markets despite the passage of over two weeks, adding that the outlaws continue to threat the businessmen community for extortion.
Talking to Business Recorder, traders of the old city area showed frustration over the non-fulfilment of government's pledges and said the government again ignored the violence-hit traders and failed to boost security arrangements at markets for their protection against the extortionists.
"The government assured us that 1000 CCTV cameras will be installed at markets besides mobile SIMS tracers, but it did not materialise its promises to protect the traders," said Chairman Old City Traders Alliance, Jamil Paracha. He said Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, had assured the traders of airtight security arrangements at markets so that their lives and property could be protected from the outlaws. "But, so far no step seen visible to prove the government's seriousness," he said.
Chairman All Karachi Tajir Ittehad (AKTI), Atiq Mir said the government did not deployed police personnel so far at markets despite killings are taking place regularly there. He added, "the government has to deploy some 500 police officials at sensitive markets according to the Chief Minister Sindh's promises." He said Chief Minister Sindh had assured the delegation of AKTI during a meeting that the Sindh government will take a number of steps to improve security at markets, but so far no visible action have been taken.
"A cell under the supervision of IG Sindh Police had to be set up to lodge traders' complaints about the law and order problems," said Paracha, adding that the government should set up check posts of police and rangers on a permanent basis in markets to maintain law and order. Criticising the government, he said it has no policy to protect even the city's consumers and improve law and order across the metropolis. He said the poor law and order has pulled down trade activities badly. Meanwhile, the affected small traders have started their drive to contact political leaders in a bid to restore peace in the city.