KARACHI: Perturbed at rising incidents of street crimes, the city’s business community on Tuesday slammed law enforcement agencies for failing to maintain peace and demanded a depoliticised police force.

The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) president Muhammad Idrees expressed deep concerns over rising lawlessness and street crimes in “every single area and said that citizens were being looted and killed upon slight resistance even in broad daylight and at crowded places.

“The Karachi Chamber has been constantly highlighting this serious issue from time to time, but the high-ups remain silent and it appears that they are least bothered to provide any relief in terms of safety and security to the perturbed citizens and the business community,” he said, adding that it was really unfortunate that all the energies, alertness and efficiencies are exhibited by law-enforcers only when they are deployed on providing security to any VIP.

“In order to efficiently deal with the alarming situation, the government, in addition to issuing directives to LEAs to strictly curb crime, must also seriously look into the root causes of rising lawlessness. Therefore, the government should take steps to bring down the inflation and high cost of doing business which, in return, would promote business expansion, industrialisation and create abundant employment opportunities, saving our youth from becoming prey of the criminal world,” he suggested.

IGP asks officials to ensure security to life and property of citizens

Referring to the data compiled by the Citizen-Police Liaison Committee (CPCL), he stated: “So many killings within a couple of months and rising snatching incidents pose a big question mark on the performance of law enforcement agencies, who must be held accountable for their failure to deal with the situation”, he added.

He said that the federal government has also been largely ignoring law and order and other issues of Karachi which, despite contributing massively to the national exchequer, remains deprived and suffers badly which was a sheer injustice to the largest city of the country.

He opined: “Keeping in view the capabilities of Karachi police chief Javed Alam Odho, the business community has high expectations from him hence, he must take concrete steps and deliver at any cost.”

IGP reviews situation

Meanwhile, Sindh Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon on Tuesday held a meeting to review the situation against the backdrop of rising complaints of dacoities, robberies, killing of citizens during mugging.

A police spokesperson said in a statement that the police chief exchanged views with participants about a strategy to curb crimes effectively and bring the culprits to justice.

He ordered the police officials to take all-out steps to protect the life and property of the people and increase the sense of security among them.

He also asked them to finalise security and traffic plans for the chehlum of Imam Husain as well as the visit of the cricket team of England.

Meanwhile, the director general of Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, Major General Iftikhar Chaudhry chaired a meeting regarding security arrangements for the visit of England cricket team to Pakistan, adds APP.

The meeting reviewed the security plan regarding the cricket team’s visit in detail.

The Rangers chief expressed his satisfaction over the foolproof security strategy and joint action plan of Rangers, police and other law enforcement agencies for T-20 series between Pakistan and England.

The meeting was attended by senior administration, police and intelligence officials.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2022