Karachi, April 1, 2024 – The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has issued a fervent plea to authorities in Sindh province, urging immediate and decisive action against the escalating menace of banditry.
Amidst a backdrop of alarming criminal activities plaguing the highways, the KCCI has sounded the alarm on the urgent need to restore peace and security for businesses and citizens alike.
Acting President of the Karachi Chamber, Altaf A. Ghaffar, expressed profound concern over the surge in criminal incidents, ranging from killings to kidnappings for ransom, extortion, robberies, and thefts, particularly along the highways of Sindh. Ghaffar underscored the gravity of the situation, characterizing it as a state of ‘bandit reign’ that imperils the safety and security of the entire province.
In a strongly worded statement, Ghaffar implored Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Inspector General Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon to launch a resolute and comprehensive operation against the criminal elements wreaking havoc across the region. He stressed the imperative for a collaborative effort involving law enforcement agencies from both Sindh and Punjab, aimed at aggressively rooting out the bandits responsible for instilling fear and chaos.
Highlighting the strategic significance of the Katcha area in Sindh, Ghaffar emphasized the need for a targeted approach to eradicate the entrenched presence of outlaws. He lamented the unabated escalation of criminal activities, particularly after sunset, when bandits seize control of the highways to prey on unsuspecting commuters and cargo vehicles transporting goods to the upcountry.
The deteriorating law-and-order situation has not only paralyzed transportation but also inflicted severe financial losses on Karachi-based businesses, industrialists, and traders. Ghaffar revealed that truckers, fearing for their safety, have either refused to undertake shipments or demanded exorbitant charges for daytime travel, exacerbating delays and disrupting supply chains.
Ghaffar painted a grim picture of the prevailing circumstances, citing a surge in kidnappings and ransom demands targeting businessmen and truck drivers along the Sindh-Punjab highways. He decried the brazen audacity of the bandits, who have expanded their operations beyond the confines of the Katcha area, openly challenging the authority of the state through social media platforms.
The ramifications of unchecked banditry extend far beyond immediate security concerns, posing a grave threat to the region’s economic stability. Ghaffar warned of a domino effect, wherein disruptions in the supply chain and skyrocketing transportation costs would further cripple trade and industry, exacerbating the plight of already beleaguered businesses.
Ghaffar urged swift and decisive action from the Sindh government, emphasizing the fundamental right of citizens to safety and security. With economic prosperity hanging in the balance, the onus is on policymakers to confront the scourge of banditry head-on and restore peace to the highways of Sindh. Failure to do so, he cautioned, would exact a heavy toll on the region’s socio-economic fabric, with far-reaching consequences for generations to come.
