KARACHI - More than 50 representatives of different markets of Karachi on Friday expressed deep concern over the reappearance of extortion mafia, surge in dacoities and incidents of lock-breaking and sought Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (KCCI) assistance so that the law enforcing agencies(LEAs), particularly Sindh Rangers, could be urged to deal with the situation on priority basis.

Exchanging views with Businessmen Group (BMG) Chairman & former president KCCI Siraj Kassam Teli and other office-bearers during their visit to the KCCI, small traders and shopkeepers informed that some shopkeepers had recently been picked up by Rangers on charges of acting as ‘facilitators' of criminals, which, they added, was not true in many cases and it was a matter of grave concern that their distressed families were completely unaware about their whereabouts.

There was a dire need to define the exact definition of a facilitator so that shopkeepers and small traders could be very careful in their routine dealings and could immediately get in touch with the LEAs in case they found anything wrong, they added. 

Small traders and shopkeepers also pointed out that situation in almost all the markets of the city, particularly those situated in old city areas, continued to worsen day by day where shopkeepers had been constantly receiving extortion chits for some days. Hence, the Karachi chamber, being the actual representative of entire business and industrial community, must come forward and provide a helping hand to the disturbed shopkeepers and small traders,” they implored.

After listening to the grievances being faced by shopkeepers, BMG Chairman & former president KCCI Siraj Kassam Teli assured full support and cooperation to them in effectively dealing with the rising activities of extortionists.

He said that Director General Pakistan Rangers Sindh Major General Muhammad Saeed will be approached by Karachi chamber so that the issues being faced by small traders could be extensively discussed and a secure business environment could be ensured in every nook and corner of the city.

He said that the incidents of robbery were being widely reported from different parts of the city and an upsurge in these activities had been witnessed particularly during the last couple of days.

“Robberies in broad daylight are frequent at houses near Makki Masjid in the vicinity of Adamjee Nagar that requires special attention and stringent measures from the law enforcing agencies,” he asserted.

Keeping in view the strenuous efforts made by Rangers to restore peace in Karachi to a certain extent, Chairman BMG was fairly optimistic that they will be able to strictly deal with these extortionists as well who were once again surfacing. He advised small traders to give nominations for a committee so that the extortion-related cases could be taken up with LEAs from KCCI's platform.

For the proposed committee, Siraj Teli nominated three representatives of Karachi chamber, including acting president Abdul Basit Abdur Razzak, Special Committee for Small Traders Chairman Majid Memon and KCCI’s Sub-Committee for Law & Order Chairman Mansoor Ahmed.

Representatives of Saddar Alliance of Markets Association, All Karachi Anjuman-e-Tajiran, Anjuman-e-Tajiran Bolton Market, Old City Alliance Markets Association, Karachi Dari & Bed Sheet Merchant, All Bidi Manufacturers Association, Mithadar Merchant Association, All Pakistan Small Traders & Cottage Industry, Machhi Miyani Market Association, Pak Alliance of Market Association, All Sindh Sarafa & Jewellers Association, Shershah Kabari Market, Iron & Steel Merchant Association, All City Tajir Ittehad, Hussainabad Traders Association, Madina City Mall, Kaghzi Bazaar Association and Bhora Pir Paint Association were led by Chairman of KCCI's Special Committee for Small Traders Majeed Memon at the meeting.