Members of business community have asked the police to take effective steps for maintaining law and order, preventing incidents of kidnapping for ransom, especially strict action against extortion mafia. The demand was made during a visit of Chief Capital Police Officer (CCPO) Ejaz Ahmad in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Friday. DIG Mohammad Alam Shinwari, SSP operations Najeebur Rehman, SSP traffic Khalid Humdani, SP City Faisal Mukhtar were present on the occasion.
The police officials held a meeting with KPCCI president Zahidullah Shinwari, vice president Mohammad Shafiq, Malik Niaz Ahmad, Sharafat Ali Mubarak and members of executive body, leaders of traders and business community. Zahidullah Shinwari said the lawlessness, kidnapping for ransom, and extortion were the major issues of the business community in the province. He said traders were mentally disturbed due to constantly receiving threatening letters and 'parchi' from the extortion groups, which is a matter of grave concern and wake up call for the police department. "We have also great reservations over the proposed security (ordinance) 2014," he complained and asked the government to make consultation with the business community for necessary amendment to the PPO, before passing it from the provincial assembly.
Responding to reservation of the traders, the CCPO suggested that a committee should be constituted, comprising members from the KPCCI, police and counter-terrorism department to take joint measures for provision of proper security and resolution of other issues of the business community.
The police official informed that a standard operating procedure (SOP) should be issued for prevention of incidents of kidnapping for ransom and extorting money from traders, while the Hayatabad Industrial Estate will be declared a red zone and will be identified entry and exit points for it. He assured that the arms license will be issued to the business community for self-protection, and said the business community's reservations on the PPO will also be addressed.
