Karachi is being ruled by mobsters, it has become worst than Chicago of Al-Capone in terms of lawlessness, killings, extortion, land and drug mafia domination, because criminals have been allowed to hold at ransom the financial hub of Pakistan and its major port city for almost three decades. Those who proudly claim to have the mandate of this city, forget that their mandate should be delivering good governance, amending laws and taking measures to protect lives and property of citizens of Karachi and uphold rule of law. It is clear failure of state and its civil and khaki dominated establishment, which has allowed the law to be hostage to whims of criminals. Al Capone, an American born of Italian descent moved to Chicago, he became a visible public figure, donating to charitable endeavors with his illegitimate money, till he was involved in 1927 St Valentines Massacre, when seven members of a rival gang were butchered in the battle for turf. Since nobody from Illinois dared to come forward as a witness, in the absence of a witness protection law, the federal government convicted him on charges of tax evasion and he was sent to Alcatraz prison in 1931 for eleven years to be released on parole in 1939. Al-Capone never dared come back to Chicago and died in Florida as a recluse in 1948. Chicago, which was the criminal capital of America at that time, was finally rid of a gigantic mob ruler and ‘Chicago Outfit’, the gang led by Al-Capone. It is time for writ of law to be imposed in Karachi and no man should have the option to be asked to obey laws, nor should the elected executive be seen negotiating with criminals to further their political objectives. It is time we stopped catering to the whims of criminals.ALMAS UR REHMAN SHAFI, Karachi, May 28.