Lanjar vows strict action against extortionists in Karachi

KARACHI: Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar has said that the issue of extortion in Karachi is a serious matter, but assured that the provincial government is equally focused on addressing the concerns of the business community.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi, the minister said that some traders had received threats after refusing to pay extortion money. “We want businesses to flourish and will not allow anyone to harass or intimidate people,” he stated.

Zia Lanjar added that law enforcement agencies(LEAs) have taken strict action against those involved in extortion, killing four suspects in encounters and arresting three others in injured condition.

Speaking on the occasion, Additional IG Karachi Javed Alam Odho said that the CIA and SIU arrested more than 20 extortionists in two weeks while 118 cases of extortion have been reported throughout the year.

He further said 44 cases reported by the extortion were of personal differences and police have seized 43 extortionists a year.

Additional IG said that the police are chasing the accused involved in the killing of the policemen, street crime in Karachi has decreased by 28 percent and vehicles snatching have decreased by 19  percent.