An alarming surge in extortion and threats targeting the city’s commercial sector has created a climate of fear, with over 96 cases reported this year alone, prompting an urgent appeal for government intervention from the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI).
President of KATI, Muhammad Ikram Rajput, expressed profound concern over the escalating crisis, calling upon the Sindh government and law enforcement agencies to implement immediate and effective measures to combat the serious issue. He stated that industrialists in Karachi, already grappling with business challenges, now face a growing sense of uncertainty and instability that threatens to paralyze economic activity.
Rajput highlighted the severe intimidation tactics being used, noting that traders and industrialists are receiving constant threats. In several instances, extortion slips have been dispatched with bullets, creating a pervasive fear that prevents many victims from filing official complaints. “This situation is a red alert not only for entrepreneurs but for the entire industrial framework, as an environment of fear and uncertainty is poison for both investment and employment,” he warned.
Citing reports, the KATI president provided a breakdown of the 96 extortion cases registered this year, with District Central being the most affected (37 cases), followed by District West (20), District East (15), and District City (12). The data also indicated five cases in District Malir and three in Korangi. In response, security and police operations have led to the arrest of 33 alleged extortionists, while four suspects were killed in police encounters.
The atmosphere of dread is particularly palpable in industrial zones, including Korangi, where factory owners are operating under a constant shadow of fear. Recent incidents, such as firings at under-construction buildings, demonstrate the audacity of these criminal elements. Rajput remarked that the business community had previously alerted the government to the worsening situation, but a lack of decisive action has allowed the menace to grow.
The extortion networks in Karachi are reportedly operated by various organized groups. There are also reports suggesting that the illicit funds extorted from the business community are being transferred abroad, adding another layer of complexity to the criminal enterprise.
Describing the situation as deeply troubling, Rajput cautioned that if timely and concrete steps are not taken, the productivity of Karachi”s industries will be severely impacted, leading to negative consequences for the national economy.
He formally appealed to the Governor of Sindh, the Chief Minister, the DG Rangers, and the IG Sindh to devise a joint strategy to dismantle these extortion networks. He urged them to provide foolproof security to traders and industrialists and to take stringent action against those involved in such crimes. Rajput affirmed that the business community, including KATI, stands ready to fully cooperate with the government to restore Karachi”s status as a secure hub for business, employment, and investment.