KARACHI, Aug 7: Trade and industry have urged Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah to immediately call upon Pakistan Army in Karachi for few weeks to control the law and order.

In case the army is not called upon the business community would have no choice but to close down their businesses if the current deterioration in law and order situation persists, industry leaders said.

Former President FPCCI and Patron In-Chief Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), S M Muneer, Chairman KATI Mohammad Zubair Chhaya and President All Karachi Industrial Alliance Mian Zahid Hussain in a joint statement showed their concern on rising lawlessness in Karachi.

“Extortion and kidnapping for ransom are at their peak and even on Wednesday, 12 persons are held by kidnappers for ransom. Under such circumstances, business community would fail to meet local production and export targets which would also hit government’s revenue generation.

The efforts of the Police and Rangers are not enough who failed to maintain peace in Karachi,” the statement said.

“Over 500 businessmen and traders have been receiving threatening calls daily for paying extortion money,” KATI chairman Mir said adding that traders, while fearing for their life have paid over Rs500 million for forced ‘donation’ and bhatta.

He said that the menace of extortion has also entered in posh areas markets where traders in Clifton, Zamzama, Gizri and various markets of DHA are paying bhatta.