KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) blamed the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government in Sindh for conniving with criminals and warned the PPP that it could take to the streets if the law and order situation in Karachi was not improved.
Muttahida also questioned the role of police in curbing the menace of street crime and said that snatching of cell phones had become a multi-billion rupees industry in the metropolis and apparently criminals had been enjoying patronage from law enforcers ‘due to high stakes’.
While PPP took exception to the MQM-P’s invitation to the Centre in a provincial matter and accused it of “politicising” a public issue for its vested interests and
MQM-P leaders Nasreen Jalil, nominated leader of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly Ali Khurshidi and others held a press conference and termed street crime in Karachi a Rs11 billion “industry”.
They wanted the federal government to “move fast and make decision to intervene before it’s too late”, saying that the law and order in Karachi was worsening with each passing day and the situation was “slipping out of everyone’s hands”.
On an average, he claimed, the city witnessed snatching of some 1,000 cell phones everyday worth Rs30 million, which is around Rs10.80 billion annually. That, he added, made the “industry” a lucrative business both for the criminals as well as those who were supposed to stop them, that is, Sindh police.
He said street crime was “a racket” being operated from the city which contributed over 70 per cent in national exchequer and shared almost 95pc revenue of the total of the province. The value of the “industry” and “smooth operation” of the armed bandits, he said, raised many questions about the performance, impartiality and role of the police force in Karachi which “at times come under doubt.”
“Ultimately, when you see the situation of street crime and that police have failed to ensure security of the people, then a question emerges in the back of the mind: are they [Sindh police] facilitating this [street crimes] industry? It’s time to ponder,” said Khurshidi.
Meanwhile, Robbers claim another life in Karachi as 60-year-old succumbs to injuries sustained while resisting a robbery attempt near Gulshan-e-Maymar.
According to details Waseemur Rehman breathed his last encounter with bandits on Chand Raat near Gulshan-e-Maymar.
Read more: Met office predicts heavy rainfall in Karachi from tonight
