Site Association of Industry, the oldest, biggest and prime industrial estate of Sindh is faced with an appalling deterioration in the law and order situation in the area.
Senior Vice-Chairman, Site Association of Industry in a statement issued here on Monday regretted that all its efforts and continued follow-ups with police have not resulted into creation of least deterrence and discouragement for the ever increasing activities of criminal elements which have now been institutionalised to act in a work based and information based weaved system.
Perhaps preventive measures, operating pressures and detections by the police department has reached an inconsiderate level encouraging criminals to remain insulated from the heat of law in a highly diluted environment of the order which police has not been able to maintain.
The spill over effect of continued rising crimes is also inflicting upon the continued decline in investments which presently as compared to last year has further shown declining trend. It is the duty of State through police department to save the life and property of the citizens which has direct co-relation with the economic growth and conducting economic activities.
The Site area which is plagued with encroachments has further provided fuel for criminalisation of environment. Illegal encroachments become heaven and shelter for the criminals acting as catalyst to promote crime and discourage the economy from moving forward in harmony. Economy cannot move amid conflicts and contradictions of highly charged bad law and order situation.
He mentioned the recent case of Qaim filter factory in Metroville SITE owned by former chairman of association and an honorary diplomat witnessed and complained to the PS SITE intrusion of armed criminals, more than 10 in numbers, in the daylight. During this illegal entry dacoits took away lethal weapons including number of mouzers/pistol of 30 bore and repeaters. They remained for a considerable time inside the factory ransacking all the office. They tied the general manager, guards, and others who were present in the office with threat to face an end of life else compromise their freedom to do whatever they like.
They took away valuables, mobiles, laptops and left the premises after mechanically forcing and opening of lockers in factory without being intercepted or noticed by the residences and activities of people, hotels in vicinity, and shops in the area.
Former chairman Site Association of Industry Engr M A Jabbar was always mindful of providing additional resources to police for improving their performance including distribution of number of motorcycle for patrolling to create deterrence. With the displeasure and dismay of the association "we do not see any movement of motorcycle given by industrialists to patrol the area". He was always advocating for additional resources among all the high-ups including chief minister of Sindh. His example was also followed by latter chairmen of the association. We must say that we are dissatisfied with the performance of police in Site as well as other offices who should help in containing the continuation of encroachments including repairing of roads to motorable levels and putting lights on streets. Yet in another incident Asad Nisar chairman law and order committee worthy member of executive committee of Karachi chamber of commerce and Industry faced an attempt on his life but miraculously remained unhurt. That also happened in Site area. The Site association would demand from the CM Sindh, interior minister, IG, additional IG police, DIG west and SSP west to take stock of the situation. The present request of Site may convert into hard pressed demand if the situation of law and order and other illegal activities continued.
Site Association of Industry also requested the Director General Rangers, Deputy DG Rangers and Commandant Colonel In-charge in the area to "help us through the exercise of power vested to take cognisance, which have been extended to Rangers, of the nature similar to powers vested in police."