KARACHI: Business community has expressed deep concern over prevailing bad law and order situation in the largest metropolis, industrial and financial capital of Pakistan - Karachi and appreciated MQM's move and its leadership to raise strong voice against the increased criminal activities and the recent killings of businessmen and Karachiites.
They condemned the recent waves of bloodshed and violence while vehemently criticising the failure of the government to control the situation. Meanwhile, large number of trade and market associations of the city has announced to observe 'black day' on Saturday (today) and keep their business and shops closed in protest again increasing incidents of killings, extortion of money, kidnapping for ransom.
Business Community demanded immediate intervention with concrete safety and security measures ensuring effective implementation and bringing persistent results. Several precious lives of businessmen were lost during the recent bloodshed in the markets of Karachi, he lamented, and said criminal activities viz extortion (Bhatta), kidnapping and killing for ransom, decoities etc in the markets and industrial areas were rampant and causing widespread fear and harassment.
They voiced that recent killings of businessmen had shaken the confidence of the business and industrial community. They bewailed that it was a great irony that in the present grave economic scenario, fatally stabbed economy, in the presence of energy and gas crisis, the business community of Karachi was steadfast to fortify the industrial and commerce activities, however, it had become impossible to continue doing business in Karachi in the wake of severe threats to precious lives of the members of business and industrial community.
Chairman Businessmen Group former president Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Siraj Kassam Teli, KCCI President Mian Abrar Ahmad, Vice Chairmen Businessmen Group and former presidents KCCI Tahir Khaliq, Zubair Motiwala, Haroon Farooki, Anjum Nisar, Senior Vice President KCCI Younus Muhammad Bashir, Vice President Zia Ahmed Khan, Managing Committee Members of KCCI and Chairman, SITE Association of Industry Irfan Motan appreciated the thoughtfulness of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) and its leadership to raise strong voice against the increased criminal activities and the recent killings of businessmen and Karachiites.
Any action taken in this respect would be appreciated by KCCI, they stated, and informed that Karachi Chamber also supported any action by the small traders in this respect. They also urged other political parties and their leaders having stakes in Karachi to raise unified voice against the lawlessness and unbridled waves of street crimes.
They highlighted that there were seven industrial zones and over 350 markets/commercial centres in Karachi and everyday members of the business community and delegations from various markets of Karachi approached KCCI complaining and protesting about life threats to them by the criminal elements with requests to immediately contact the concerned to ensure their safety and security.
They lamented that several precious lives of businessmen were lost in the recent street crimes in the markets of Karachi, and said criminal activities were out of control causing widespread fear and harassment. They expressed deep concern over prevailing bad law and order situation in the city while criticising the failure of the government to control the situation.
They informed that one week back, the Karachi Chamber sent SOS letter to President of Pakistan, Prime Minister, Governor and Chief Minister Sindh, Federal and Provincial Interior Ministers, Director General Rangers, Inspector General Police Sindh, demanding their immediate intervention for concrete safety and security measures with result-oriented implementation but in vain.
They once again appealed to the President of Pakistan and the Prime Minister to take immediate notice of deteriorating law and order situation in the city as it was the prime responsibility of the government to provide protection, safety and security otherwise there would be severe agitation from the masses and the business and industrial community of Karachi.