KARACHI - Militants, associated with defunct organisations, hiding in Afghanistan, are making extortion calls to the businessmen of Karachi’s Central Vegetable and Fruit Market (Sabzi Mandi).

The Nation has learnt that hundreds of fruit and vegetable wholesalers doing businesses at new Sabzi Mandi, located at Main Superhighway, near Sohrab Goth, which is considered the stronghold of militants, remain vulnerable to the threats from different militant groups for the last many years. Resultantly, they have to pay the money to these gangs of criminals in lieu of protection.

When the Karachi operation had started in September 2013, militants left the area, leaving the business community sure that now they could carry on their activities without any fear.

Sources in the market revealed to this scribe that although the militants managed to flee, still they did not give up extortion, and started calling to different businessmen from their hideouts in Afghanistan and forced them to finance terrorism.

Superhighway police have recently registered a case on the complaint of Haji Shaista Khan Achakzai, a fruit vendor, against unknown callers. Achakzai gave details about calls from Afghanistan’s phone numbers. He explained that the terrorists knew each and every thing and even mentioned the location and movement while making calls.

Sources privy to the matter told The Nation on condition of anonymity that there were more than 8,000 vendors, mostly hailing from Bajaur, Waziristan and other parts of KP, having association with militant groups.

They further pointed out that facilitators of the militants were present in the market.

The concerned police officials said that although they had started keeping data of those working in the market, but it was also the responsibility of market committee of Sindh Agriculture Department. They further said that terrorists making calls from Afghanistan asked the businessmen to reach Torkham border with money. They added that there were a number of Goths (villages) in the surrounding areas of Sabzi Mandi, including Janjar Goth, Shahbaz Goth, Hangora Goth and Bismillah Center, which have remained in the grip of militants of Tehreek-e-Taliban.

They disclosed that apparently militants had vanished from the town, but their supporters still living in the area and working in the market, facilitated them.

Traders told The Nation that the market committee remained busy in making money by collecting car parking fee, encroaching shops and lands and other lucrative activities.

Traders further informed that Wasim Haider Memon, Chairman of the market committee, had been found involved in a case of mega corruption by the National Accountability Bureau.

The copy of NAB’s order, obtained by The Nation, reveals that Wasim had been booked in connection with embezzlement of millions of rupees.

During the course of investigation, accused Wasim Haider had confessed his involvement in corruption, but was set free after plea bargain.

Although authorities settled the issue, ban on Wasim regarding holding any public office; either provincial or federal for 10 years, remains intact.

Despite the orders, Wasim is currently holding the office in the market.

Several office-bearers of the market committee have shown concern over the presence of Wasim in the committee’s office, and have also alleged that he had not stopped his illegal activities.

It is worth mentioning here that Anwar Ali Gopan, former market committee chairman, had been removed from the slot following leveling of similar charges.