Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)
Industrialists demanded the security, law and order
authorities to arrest the killers behind the assassination of
industrialists and students within 72 hours, otherwise, they will
initiate a movement of protest, sit, and strike until the peace is
restored in the city.
In a press conference held on Wednesday at the secretariate of Federal
B Area Trade and Industries (FBATI), representatives of seven
industrial zones expressed their anger at the lawlessness situation of
the city, which recently claimed the lives of 78 residents, including
industrialist Asif Bilwani, and gold medalist students.
They have decided to hold dialogues with IG Sindh and DG Rangers on
security measures immediately and plan to approach Chief of Army Staff
General Asim Munir if the lawlessness issue is not resolved in
Karachi.
President Federal B Area Trade and Industries (FBATI) Syed Raza
Hussain said that the poor law and order situation has taken a toll on
the city’s economic activities, leading to the closure of businesses
and the flight of capital to different countries.
He demanded that police personnel be removed from the protocol duties
of bureaucrats and politicians and deputed to protect citizens of the
city, contributing handsome revenues to the national exchequer.
The project of Safe City has yet to be commenced in the commercial
capital despite various cities have established this project to
control security challenges, he said and added. If police can’t
maintain law and order in the city, Rangers should be given the power
to control street crimes and lawlessness in Karachi like it was done
in the past.
CEO FITE Development and Management Company Babar Khan said the local
representation had been reduced in local police, which resulted in a
lack of interest in curbing street crime in the city.
He alleged that police officials are supporting street crimes and
organized criminal activities in Karachi, however, key officials such
as IG Sindh and DG Rangers are not taking any action against them.
The industrialists and businessmen in Karachi are already facing
multiple challenges of high cost of production and unavailability of
utilities, the bad security situation is adding to their miseries as
industrialists and their workers are not secure from the atrocities of
street criminals and decoits.
Faisal Moiz Khan, President North Karachi Association of Trade and
Industries (NKATI) demanded that industrialists vow to take up the
issue with higher authorities if the security situation is not
improved in the city, including industrial zones.
He added that industrialists are expecting a concrete security plan
from law and order authorities that will ensure peace across the city;
otherwise, they will launch a protest campaign against the concerned
departments.
Muhammad Kamran Arbi, President, SITE Association of Industries,
Muslim S Mohemadi, Vice President, Korangi Association of Trade and
Industries, Shaheen Serwana, President SITE Superhighway Association,
Naveed Shakoor, Former President, Bin Qasim Association of Industries
also spoke on the occasion.
