KARACHI:President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan, while expressing deep concerns over abrupt rise in law and order incidents particularly the target killings and rising street crimes, urged the Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah and Heads of Law Enforcing Agencies (LEAs) to take strictest actions and adopt stringent measures to maintain peace in every nook and corner of Karachi.
In a statement issued, President KCCI pointed out that it took a lot of efforts and sacrifices to restore peace in Karachi after the commencement of Karachi Operation in 2013 which resulted in restoring peace and tranquility to a great extent but it seems that the LEAs have decelerated their activities, providing a perfect opportunity to criminals and target killers to resurface again and fearlessly carry out their heinous crimes which must not be taken lightly or neglected.
He was of the opinion that Karachi city, which contributes more than 70 percent revenue to the national exchequer, simply cannot afford any kind of damage to its law and order situation particularly at a time when the economy was in deep crises while the wheels of the industry have also lost pace mainly due to rising cost of doing business, inflation, exorbitant interest rates and sluggishness at the local markets. “The Business and Industrial Community cannot afford another shock in shape of poor law and order situation hence, the LEAs must strictly be directed to take strictest action against culprits, besides enhancing patrolling and snap-checking all over the city, particularly at the most sensitive localities from where street crimes were constantly being reported”, he added.
President KCCI further expressed apprehensions over the upsurge in incidents pertaining to hooliganism and the rowdy behavior of police officers, troops from levies’ forces and even the private security guards who were safeguarding politicians, landlords or any other high-profile figure during their movement in the city. “It is really shameful that these security personnel nowadays immediately resort to beating the innocent public at gunpoint in case of any minor conflict which usually pertains to either giving way or parking etc. Such rude behavior and low treatment towards the innocent masses triggers hatred which is totally unacceptable in any civilized society”, he added.
“Nowhere around the world such protocol movements and fearless beating by security officers takes place except in Pakistan which we highly deplore and urge the government to look into this serious matter so that the innocent public is not mistreated and victimized on the streets of Karachi”, he stressed.
Agha Shahab noted that these security officers, instead of pointing their guns upwards, are usually seen pointing guns on the vehicle right behind their convoy which poses threat to the lives of those innocent commuters who get stuck up right behind the protocol vehicles. “In this regard, a proper code of conduct has to be devised and strictly implemented for the security personnel deployed on protocol movement with a view to save the innocent citizens from becoming victims of any untoward incident”, he added.
President KCCI further stated that it has also been widely observed that nowadays many people, having influence and good connections either with politicians, bureaucrats or any high up in the police department guise themselves as a ‘VIP’ and they even install hooters and police lights in their vehicles, besides get the glasses tinted while their security guards’ uniform resembles with the uniform of the levies forces. This act is purely the misuse use of power and connections hence, it must also be strictly dealt.
He hoped that the government would immediately take notice of the rising lawlessness and also the rowdiness of security personnel with a view to ensure a safe and secure environment all over the city where the common man could fearlessly move around with his family members.