KARACHI: Addressing an event at the SITE Association of Industry, Karachi’s Police Chief revealed that the city has witnessed a surge in extortion cases over the past two weeks, largely orchestrated by criminal gangs operating from overseas. Highlighting the police’s crackdown, the Chief stated that red notices have been issued for five key gangsters involved in extortion, effectively restricting their operations. He added that the police have successfully targeted the Samad Kathiyawari group and have officially shared the phone numbers and details of the fugitive extortionists with the respective foreign governments where they are currently residing.
Speaking on industrial security and urban management, the Police Chief emphasized that encroachments severely impact the safety of industrialists and foreign visitors. He announced that a comprehensive anti-encroachment plan, formulated jointly by the Commissioner and the Mayor of Karachi, will soon be enforced by the police. Addressing resource constraints, he noted that the police department will not procure new vehicles this year due to a lack of a development budget; however, law enforcement agencies remain fully operational and committed to maintaining peace. While acknowledging that street crime remains a major challenge, he reported a 15% reduction in crime rates over the past six months and highlighted the successful, technology-driven resolution of the Dr. Akash murder case. The event concluded with addresses from SITE Association President Abdul Rehman Fida, Zubair Motiwala, Javed Bilwani, Saleem Parekh, and other prominent industrialists.
